it is like Apples of gold in pictures of silver Prov. 25.11 The husbandman lookes and calls for fruits in their season Mar. 12.2 At the season he sent a servant that he might receive of the fruits of the vineyard So Mat 21.41 We ought in private meetings to consider what discourse is most seasonable what questions exhortations reproofs are most sutable and seasonable and accordingly apply our selves our spirits at some seasons are farre more apt to receive impressions than at other times Now therefore we should be seasonable in publique and private duties but some take little heed to this when the subjects they hold forth in Sermons suite neither with persons nor things to which they ought to apply their doctrine if they will speake seasonably but are like snow in harvest or singing songs to an heavy heart Many things materially good for want of due circumstances and seasonablenesse in performance are of little worth Those doctrines in publique and discourses and duties in private which are not only agreeable to the word in generall but also concurre with and carry on Gods maine designes in the generation we live in such fruits are seasonable fruits otherwise though good in themselves they are not seasonable Also when the word is so divided as to give to every one his portion and application is made to particular and different cases and Conditions of persons then these fruits are seasonably brought forth The eightie first Observation in Nature FRuit-trees yeild forth their fruits as well to the wicked as the godly The unholy and profane do yearly eat and drinke of their fruits and have profits and advantages by them as well as the most holy This shadowes out unto us Proposition shadowed That The godly are profitable not only one to another but the wicked also faire the better for them They that feare God have great and precious promises made to them concerning the good things of this life as well as of the life to come which God performeth to them as he sees is best for them of which outward good things the wicked who grow amongst them as Tares amongst the Wheate are partakers Also being partakers of the divine nature and having the spirit of their heavenly father dwelling in them they imitate God in some measure who doth good to the just and unjust and lets his raine fall and sun shine upon the wicked and the good Matth. 5 25. They do good to all according to the command Gal. 6.10 and that of Matth. 5.44 Love your enemies blesse them that curse you do good to them that hate you and pray for them that despitefully use you and persecute you Wicked men share both of privative and positive blessings among the godly Even Sodome was spared for a time while righteous Lot was among them How many fared the better for Josephs sake David was kind to churlish Nabal in keeping his Cattle from spoile while he remained by them Laban was blessed in outward things for Jacobs sake Gen. 30.27 Potiphar and his house Pharaoh and all Egypt fared the better for Joseph Gen. 39.5 and 41. c. Also they reprove exhort and admonish the ungodly as well as the godly they give and lend and doe good not only to them that will do good and lendâ— and give to them but also to their enemies if their enemy hunger they will feede him if he thirst they will give him drinke Vse 1 Hence we may take notice of the noble and excellent nature of Gods people in that they do good to all to those who do hurt to them the ungodly are not so the righteous is more excellent than his carnall neighbour Prov. 12.26 and Prov. 17.27 He is of an excellent spirit Herein he holds forth some resemblance of the Nature of God his father who does good to the just and unjust Vse 2 We may also hence take occasion to observe the basenesse and unworthinesse of the spirits of ungodly persons who hate the righteous notwithstanding all their love they returne evill for Good Psal 109.4 for my love they are mine adversaries This is the highest aggravation of mans sin against God to sin against love against mercy and kindnesse God calls Heaven and Earth to wonder at it Esay 1.2 Here O Heavens and give eare O Earth c. I have nourished and brought up children and they have rebelled against me so in a proportion is the sin aggravated in respect of men it is the highest ingratitude to returne hate for love evill for good The eightie second Observation in Nature SOme fruit-trees are slow in bearings fruits many yeares passe ere they beare any considerable quantity of fruits but notwithstanding the husbandman does not presently cut them downe but prunes them diggs about them waters and orders them from yeare to yeare and waits for their fruits This shadowes out unto us this Proposition That When men are slow in the duties of obedience God is patient towards them Proposition shadowed and in the use of all meanes waits for their fruitfulnesse God is the great Husbandman of his Vineyard the Church and having many fruit-trees in it he prunes orders and gives them convenient culture from yeare to yeare by his word spirit Ministers Providences favours frownes Chastisements and all meanes and lookes every one should be fruit-full under all his dispensations And yet so it is that many are unfruitfull or beare but few and small fruits though God expect much they returne but little now notwithstanding God of his infinite patience tarries and waites upon them for their fruits Many yeares did the Lord waite for the fruits of Repentance from the old world 1 Pet. 3.20 The long suffering of God waited in the daies of Noah And Esay 30 18. The Lord will wait that he may be gratious He Plants and waters and prunes and dresses his fruit-trees and then waits for their fruits in their seasons Luke 13.7 These three yeares I come seeking fruit on this fig-tree God cuts not downe fruit-trees suddenly for their unfruitfulnesse but sends his word and spirit and causeth the dewes and raine of Heaven to fall upon them in manifold mercies and Providences and then waits for and expects fruits God is as the Apostle saith 2 Pet. 3.9 Long suffering to us ward not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance This should make us observe and admire the abundant kindnesse Vse 1 and love of God towards us that God who is infinite in power wisdome justice and absolute of himselfe having no neede at all of his Creatures and in a moment able to bring to nought whatsoever shall oppose him shall yet wait upon his Creatures as if he had some need of them or expected some advantage by them whereas it is for our profit and advantage he is indulgent towards his Children bearing with them Ps 103. when they beare some good fruits he purgeth and pruneth them that they may bring forth
bring forth fruits seasonably pag. 161. 81. The godly are profitable not only one to another but the wicked also fare the better for them pag. 163. 82. When men are slow in the duties of obedience God is patient towards them in the use of all good meanes waits for their fruitfulnesse pag. 164. 83. Vnregenerate persons of themselves cannot come to Christ nor bring forth one good fruit pag. 166. 84. Some Christians cheifly pursue some particular duties belonging to them and neglect others pag. 168. 85. While persons remaine in an unregenerate state all the meanes of grace is unprofitable to them pag. 170. 86. Christians by walking holily and fruitfully they bring much honour to God but if otherwise dishonour pag. 171. 87. The same things which are blessings to the Godly are curses to the wicked because of their different Principles pag. 172. 88. The best of Gods Children are guiltie of many sins and infirmities in their conversations pag. 174. 89. Carnall persons are as forward and zealous in the waies of sin as usually the godly are in the waies of holinesse pag. 176. 90. The Conditions of the people of God are much different yet God careth for them all pag. 178. 91. True and faithfull Ministers of the Gospell do diligently looke into the state of their people and deale with them accordingly pag. 179 92. God discovereth a speciall care of and love unto those of his people whose Judgment and waies concurre with his designe in their generation pag. 183. 93. God is a long time in calling the Gentiles and implanting them into Christ according to his purpose and promises pag. 187. 94. Externall Vniformity in the Churches of Christ is of small accompt with him in respect of Vnity and spirituall worship pag. 191. 95. God many times makes use of wicked and unregenerate persons for the preservation and good of his owne children pag. 197. 96. God in his infinite wisdome and goodnesse observes the fittest times in all his dispensations towards his people pag. 199. 97. Jesus Christ gives forth as constant a supply of all grace to the meanest of his people as to those who are most eminent pag. 201. 98. The people of God bring glory to him profit and edification to the body of Christ in divers respects according to the diversity of the Gifts Graces and operations of the spirit of God in them pag. 2â—2 99. There is a continuall secret supply of strength from Christ to every believer in time of desertion and temptation to preserve them from totall falling away pag. 205. 100. True Christians do communicate of their good things as freely to the poore as to the rich pag. 207. THE SPIRITUALL USE OF A GARDEN of FRUIT-TREES The first Observation in Nature THE Husbandman makes choice of what wild Plants he pleaseth to bring into his Orchards there to Graft and order to fruit-bearing from yeare to yeare He leaves other plants in the Woods and waste grounds he lets them alone and meddles not with them but takes and leaves these or those as pleaseth himselfe This is a Similitude of the State of Spirituall Fruit-trees and shadowes out unto us this Proposition That God from all eternity made choice of what Spirituall Plants he pleased to plant in his Garden the Church Proposition Shadowed and refused others God in his eternall decree chose some persons and refused others as his word clearely manifests he chose some wild plants here and there a few to plant in his Orchard to order to fruit-bearing and let others alone to grow wild and bring forth their naturall fruits and this upon his own free will and pleasure without any foresight of faith repentance good works or any thing in us This the Apostle shews Eph. 1.4 He hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world Vers 5. according to the good pleasure of his will before they had done good or evill Rom. 9.13 I have loved Jacob and hated Esau and Jo. 13.18 I know whom I have chosen And our Saviour tells us Joh. 15.16 I have chosen you and ordained you that ye should go and bring forth fruit and that your fruit should remaine The Husbandman lets other Plants alone to grow wild without the wall of his Orchard Many wicked men and women in the world which were passed by in his decree and therefore are not brought into his Church nor Ingrafted into Christ who in their generations bring forth sower bitter and poysonous fruits Rom. 9.18 He hath mercy on whom he will have mercy and whom he will he hardneth That is He giveth grace to those whom he hath chosen and denies it to others leaving them to themselves Vse Esay 61.3 The Consideration of this should be a strong and continuall motive to all those who have made their Calling and Election sure being perswaded upon good grounds that they are Trees of righteousnesse of the Lords Planting to praise and admire the free grace of God who hath chosen them to be his adopted children ingrafting them into Christ and planting them in his Garden to bring forth pleasant fruits to himselfe We were all of us wild Plants as bad by nature as the worst in the world and God hath made choice of us and left others How should this make us admire his rich and free grace in Christ to us and to shew forth his praise in our Conversations The Apostle tells us this is the very end wherefore we are Chosen 1 Pet. 2.9 Yee are a chosen Generation a Royall Priesthood an holy nation a peculiar people that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darknesse into his marvelous light There was no moving Cause why the mysticall Husbandman should make Choice of us rather than of others as there is of materiall Plants The Husbandman looks upon their straightnesse and fitnesse in other respects it may be wherefore he chuseth them before others But the mysticall Husbandman hath all the grounds and Causes of choice within himselfe Eph. 1.5 according to the good pleasure of his will Let this therefore teach us and stirre us up to bring forth all Vse 2 good fruits unto him in abundance who hath so abounded in love and mercy towards us and hath let out his free grace in chusing of us And although we cannot recompence the Husbandman or make him the richer by our fruits yet we may please him and honour him thereby Herein is my Father glorified that ye beare much fruit Joh 15.2 The second Observation in Nature THe Husbandman doth order his young fruit-trees with more tendernesse and gentlenesse then such as are strong and well growne trees because such while they are small and tender are in more danger of breaking and brusing and other hurts then they are afterwards So that besides the great Wall or Common fence about the Orchard he makes a more speciall fence with Bushes Stakes or the like about each of them and gives
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
Charets like a Whirle-wind vers 16. For the Lord will judg with fire and with his sword all flesh Now when shall this be even when the Lord will enlarge his Church when he will extend peace to Ierusalem as a River and the glory of the Gentiles like a flowing streame Esay 66.12 When the isles a farre off shall declare his glory among the Gentiles and brethren shall be brought out of all Nations when the new heavens and the new earth shall be made the Church of God enlarged and beautified as we may see at large vers 19.20 c. The Prophet Jeremiah speakes likewise to the same purpose c. 23.19.20 Behold the tempest of the Lord goeth forth in wrath a violent whirles wind shall fall downe upon the head of the wicked and the anger of the Lord shall not returne untill he have executed and till he have performed the thoughts of his heart Now when these things shall be we see vers 20. in the latter daies when God is enlarging his Church ye shall understand it plainely This God will doe that he may glorifie himselfe in shewing forth his power and justice towards his enemies love to his people This may informe us and give some light unto us why all the Vse 1 destructions confusions and overturnings which have beene in these Nations of late yeares have come to passe and what other Nations shall shortly find also The great husbandman is about the enlarging of his Orchard according to the many Prophesies and promises in his word Now therefore who or whatsoever hinders and stands in the way shall certainely be removed 2 Thes 2.7 The Lord shall consume him Antichrist with the spirit of his mouth and destroy him with the brightnesse of his coming Vse 2 As this is unspeakable consolation to the saints who are the goodly fruit-trees in this large garden so is the same cause of trembling and astonishment to all opposers of God in this his great worke Weeds and wild Plants in a garden that 's carefully ordered are not so sure of plucking up as these persons are of a downfall for God hath said it he will plant his Garden and enlarge it upon an high mountaine and eminent and then up goe the wild trees though never so high and beautifull Ezek. 17.24 Then all the trees of the field shall know that I the Lord have brought downe the high tree have exalted the low tree have dryed up the greene tree and made the dry tree to flourish I the Lord have spoken it and have done it Vse 3 Thirdly yee that stand out and oppose the worke of God be perswaded to deliver your selves from destruction beware of hardnesse of heart in refusing to see and acknowledge the hand of God in his dispensations for as Pharaoh the inhabitants of Egypt Canaan and others were destroy'd in their opposition against the plantation of old so shall it be with all hardned sinners in these latter daies Those being but Types and shadowes of things that shall come to passe in these gospell times Heb. 10.1 The law hath a shadow of good things to come Not only as they shadow forth Jesus Christ but also the things of Christ in his Church Vse 4 And further Let this Caution Gods owne people It is to manifest and evident that even some of them doe in some respects oppose the worke of God we see what divisions and contentions there are amongst them about the things concerning the kingdome of Christ Now therefore take heed of opposing the mind of God for if he be displeased with those who help not the Lord against the mighty will he not be much more displeased with those that oppose him and are against him in any of his designes It may hinder them of much good which otherwise they might have received from God See Pag. yea it may provoke God to cut them off though his owne people The husbandman sometimes cuts off a Branch or cuts downe even a good tree when it is in his way and hinders any of his great workes so doubtlesse does the Lord with some of his owne people when through any worldly interest or corruption they oppose his designes Therefore take heede speake not neither act against God and his waies through mistakes be not unwise but understand what the will of the Lord is Eph. 5.17 The eight and twentieth Observation in Nature WHen rare and excellent fruit-trees and fruits are first knowne there being but few of them they are more valued and esteemed then afterwards when they are multiplyed and growen common though the commodities are still the same in goodnesse as at first This shadowes out unto us That The constant enjoyment of the best things from God through corruptions makes them lesse noted and esteemed Proposition shadowed The nature of man is much taken with new things which having beene a while used and enjoyed are not afterwards of so much value with us though the things remaine in their former goodnesse and worth health peace and plenty and the best good things of this life yea the Ordinances of Christ society of the saints seasons and oportunities of grace spirituall priviledges are lesse observed and prized after a long enjoyment of them then at the first Though Manna was a pleasant bread Angels foode and the people of Israel were well pleased with it for a time yet afterwards they were weary of it Numb 21.5 Our soule loatheth this light bread When the people of God see the necessity and want of good things and earnestly pray and waite for them and at length God satisfies their desires and gives out the mercy longed for then they are much taken and affected with it their affections are raised and enlarged they put a price and value upon it greatly rejoycing in it and blessing God for it But after a certaine time of enjoyment the heart is lesse upon it the streames of affections are abated and run lower there is not that frequent notice taken of it neither when the mind reflects upon it at any time are the affections stirred as at the first when the thing was new Thus it is even in respect of the best and choicest things wee receive from God in this life even the sence and evidences of the love of God pardon of sin intrest in Christ Communion with the father and the sonne through the spirit These things after an habituall long enjoyment of them are lesse noted and lesse affect the heart then upon their first discovery so that God expostulates with his people about it he takes notice of it and observes the difference of the frame of their spirits what it hath beene and what it is afterwards Jer. 22. I remember the kindnesse of thy youth the love of thine espousales c. when thou wentest after me in the wildernesse time was when we were first acquainted and thou didst take me for thy Lord and Husband thou didst expresse much love towards me and
great duties of love and charity towards our fellow members what do we wher 's our Religion Pure Religion and undefiled before God even the father is this to visit the fatherlesse and widdowes in their afflictions c. James 1.27 See what our Saviour saies of these duties Matth. 25.36 Magistrater ought not only to restraine and punish what is to Gods dishonour but also to contrive stand for and uphold what is acceptable to him Ministers of the Gospell ought not only to preach the Gospell in the publique congregation but also to take all occasions in private to exhort rebuke instruct and encourage the people in the things of God to be instant in season and out of season inquiring how the worke of grace goes on in the hearts of their people and to know their state which Paul so much enquired after in his owne person and by others that he might speak and write more sutable to their conditions Phil. 2.19 Col. 4.8 how Sathan works what dispensations they have from God and to learne experiences from them studying men as they study books by which course they may become wise and skillfull workmen and know those waies and workings of God of Sathan of Grace and Corruption which otherwise they can never know Pastors of congregations have a strict charge Acts 20.28 Take heed to all the flock over which the Holy Ghost hath made you Overseers Now to oversee the Church imports more than only to Preach in publique that is but a part of their worke A speciall care should be had of the different state of particular persons Vse This should put us upon Examination what works and duties God requires of us in our generall and particular Callings that knowing them we may observe one as well as another and have respect to all Gods Commands Let us not suffer one duty to justle out another which is frequent among Christians Many think if they are still doing what is good and about the worke of God they look not so much about them nor consider what is necessary besides or what is more necessary and profitable and so many times neglect the maine worke They let some branches of duties wither and dye while the sap and strength of the Tree presseth forth and spends it selfe in other branches lesse fruitfull The eightie fifth Observation in Nature WHile fruit-trees remaine ungrafted all the labour and culture the husbandman can bestow upon them will not make them bring forth good fruits though they grow in the best place of the Garden and be watred pruned and ordered never so well yet because they are ungrafted and wild trees they will beare sower and noughty fruits This is another Similitude of the state of spirituall fruit-trees and shadowes out unto us this Proposition That While persons remaine in an unregenerate state all the meanes of grace is unprofitable to them Proposition shadowed Many make a profession who yet have nothing of the power of godlinesse they attend the Ordinances they heare the word pray have priviledges among the Saints yet bring forth no good fruit Judgments Mercies favours outward providences inward workings of the spirit by reproofes counsells inlightnings c. all is in vaine to them they cannot receive these things nor profit by them because not engrafted they reject the word Psal 50.17 Thou hatest instruction and castest my words behind thee And Heb. 4 2. The word preached did not profit them not being mixed with faith in them that heard it And as they reject the word so also they resist the spirit Acts 7.51 Ye do alwaies resist the Holy Ghost as your fathers did so do yee Yea Judgments and punishments are ineffectuall to them Esay 9.13 The people turneth not unto him that smiteth them neither do they seeke the Lord of Hosts Amos 4 9. I have smitten you with blasting and mildew c. yet ye have not returned unto mee saith the Lord I have sent amoung you pestilence and ye have not returned unto me And vers 11. I have overthrowne some of you c. yet ye have not returned unto mee saith the Lord. So we see all that God doth for or against persons out of Christ all the meanes of grace is unprofitable to them they neglect the mercies of God reject the word spirit Judgments of God and all the reproofes admonitions Counsels Exhortations and Examples of his people Hence we see the miserable condition of persons out of Christ Vse 1 seeing nothing will do good upon them would it not be accompted a heavy curse if the Lands of some men should bring forth nothing but bryers thorns and weeds with all the good husbandry that could be bestowed on them with raine sunne and dewes when by the same meanes other mens grounds are made fruitfull this spirituall curse upon the soules of unregenerate persons is infinitely greater such without Repentance are nigh unto cursing and everlasting burnings Heb. 6.8 Labour then with all thy might to get this evidence of Regeneration Vse 2 even to thrive and profit by the meanes of grace The eightie sixt Observation in Nature FRuit-trees when they prosper well and grow in a decent comly forme and bring forth much good fruit as they do profit many so also hereby they credit the husbandman they bring some reputation to him who orders them but if they grow poorely and bring forth little they discredit their keeper This teacheth us this Lesson That Christians by walking holily and fruitfully Proposition shadowed they bring much honour to God but if otherwise dishonour Every one of the people of God that professeth Christ is as a City upon a hill as our Saviour said of his disciples and therefore their waies are seen and observed by all sorts of persons so that if they walke wisely circumspectly and fruitfully they bring honour to God and credit to their profession Matth. 5.16 Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorifie your father which is in heaven And againe 1 Pet. 2.12 having your conversation honest among the Gentiles c. they may by your good works which they shall behold glorify God in the day of visitation But if on the contrary professors walke loosely and negligently these things reflect upon God to his dishonour As a servant to a great person if he behave himselfe licentiously by drunkenesse swearing and the like it reflects in some sort upon his Master who keeps such a person in his house So it is betweene God and his people if they walke circumspectly in a holy and fruitfull conversation they glorifie the name of God to whom they have relation but if they walke vainely and loosely if they walke in pride minding earthly things the two grand sins of many professours in our times scraping and holding together the trash of the world as though there were no better things to be had in the waies of God then they cause the name of God to be
with his people Secondly By looking into the particular state of their people they may speake more sutably and seasonably to them when they know their particular Lusts and corruptions their Temptations Cases doubts c. their degrees of knowledg and other graces they may then apply the word more properly and effectually than otherwise they can upon all occasions As Physitians when they have enquired into and know the state of their Patients may administer Physicke more effectually than otherwise they can So Though Ministers may speake many good things generall truthes according to the Scriptures yet they may be and are many times very much besides the particular cases and present concernments of many or most of their hearers as not knowing their particular states Use 1 By what hath beene said it is manifest that some Ministers of the Gospell even good men do but the one a See Observ 84. halfe or but a part of their work They preach the Gospell but they looke not they enquire not into the state of their people To preach the word is not to performe the Office of an Overseer nor to follow the Example of the Apostle Paul shewed in all those places afore mentioned who laid out himselfe with diligence to know the state of the people in every place where he had preached But many thinke it sufficient to be diligent in their studies composing of Sermons to preach in publique laying out their time and strength that way but greatly neglecting this other duty of enquiring and looking into the particular state of soules and applying themselves thereunto accordingly I speake it upon knowledge and experience with griefe of heart and indignation against the grosse neglects of some in this matter who have beene so farre from enquiring after the state of others as that when poore soules have come to them to acquaint them with their doubts feares and troubles of spirit they have neglected them and given them a very slight answere and sent them away much more burdned than before which opportunities they should most gladly have imbraced and have been very tender of such wounded sick and weary soules and have come and sent often to them and taken care of them as a Nurse cherisheth her Children Vse 2 Let us blesse God notwithstanding so many seeke their owne things and neglect the things of Jesus Christ Phil. 2.21 that yet we have some Paul's Timothies among us who lay out themselves diligently to looke into the particular state of soules and naturally take care for their welfare These are wise and skilfull Physitians of soules and know how to apply sutable and seasonable things to them whereas those that neglect this duty are but as Emperique Physitians who have but only some few generall notions which they apply in all Cases Let such therefore who are diligent in this worke be encouraged to go on as faithfull and wise stewards to give every one his portion in due season and they shall in due time receive a great Reward Lu. 12.44 even when the cheife Shepheard shall appeare they shall receive a Crown of glory that fadeth not away 1 Pet. 5.4 The ninetie second Observation in Nature THe husbandman values and approves most of those Trees and fruits that are most for his purpose most proper for his designe and end that he hath in his eye admit his great designe be to make wine of the fruits Cyder Perry c. then he likes those best that are fittest for that use Or if his designe be to transport them into other parts for sale then he approves most of good hard lasting fruits c. He had rather loose divers trees of other kinds than one of those which beare fruits sutable to his great end and designe This shadowes out unto us Proposition shadowed That God discovereth a speciall care of and love unto those of his people whose Judgments and waies concurre with his great designes in their generation In every generation God is carrying on some particular and speciall designe or other and some of his people help on the worke more than others some rather hinder it they preach and pray and act against it through ignorance of it being darkned with some lusts or worldly interests Now though God cannot forsake any of his people though they oppose him yet they shall loose by it they shall have lesse of God than others whose Judgments and waies concurre with God in his designes Such of the people of God as are active for and with God in his designes they shall have speciall distinguishing care and love shewed towards them which others who neglect the worke of God or oppose it shall not find Nay such are in danger not only of losse but also of some visible testimonies of Gods displeasure towards them Such who fall in with Gods speciall designe in their generation shall find speciall grace kindnesse from God such distinguishing love Daniel found when he prayed and labored so earnestly for the restoring and enlargement of the Church then in Captivity Dan. 9. which was Gods great designe then in that generation he found skill and wisdome and understanding which others had not the care and love of God was eminently discovered towards him even to a miracle in preserving him in the Lyons den and an Angell was sent as a messenger from God to tell him he was a man greatly beloved Chap. 10.11 What speciall care and love did God manifest towards Moses who was eminently instrumentall for God in his generation in gods designe of bringing Israel out of Egipt and carrying them to Canaan Moses had peculiar honour above others of Gods people yea above other Prophets in his time Numb 12.6 7 8. If there be a Prophet among you I the Lord will make my selfe knowne unto him in a vision and will speake unto him in a dreame My servant Moses is not so who is faithfull in all my house with him will I speake mouth to mouth even apparently and not in darke speeches and the Similitude of the Lord shall he behold Caleb and Joshua who followed the Lord closesy and constantly in his designe which was the worke of their generation of setting Israel in the promised Land what distinguishing respect honour and love had they above others The Lord himselfe gave a testimony of them that they wholly followed him Numb 32.12 they possessed that good land when others who would not believe nor act for God in the worke of that generation were cut off Other proofes and instances might be brought Now the reasons hereof God gives out distinguishing mercy to his people that joyne with him in his great worke because thereby they most please him and honour him and give the greatest evidence of their love to him that can be God will reward the obedience of his people in the least and lowest duties they shall not kindle a fire on his altar in vaine nor give a Cup of cold water nor
Cordials seasonably He is a God of Iudgment and Wisdome and he waits to be gratious Esay 30.18 He taries the time stayes till the fittest time waites for the oportunity the season to give in a mercy when it may be with most advantage to his owne glory and the good of his people As God staies till the fittest time for the punishment of wicked men when he may do it most to the glory of his Iustice so also in the dispensations of grace and mercy to his people God tarries till men have filled up the measure of their sin Gen. 15.16 The iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full And God indures with much long suffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction Rom. 9.22 so also he waits till his people be fitted for such or such a mercy as he intends to give till some corruption be more mortified and subdued and till grace have attained more strength till grace have beene tryed and thereby beene improved and increased when the soule is prepared and the season come then also the mercy will come Hab. 2.3 it will surely come it will not tarry Israels deliverance out of Egypt as a type of other mercies and deliverances to the Church and people of God in after ages it was at an appointed time and fittest time when the people were best prepared for such a dispensation Exod. 12.41 the selfe same day it came to passe So also God dealeth with others of his people according to that of the Prophet Psalm 102.13 Thou shalt arise and have mercy upon Syon for the time to favour her yea the set time is come God observes the fittest time the season in his dispensations towards his people that thereby he may lay a ground for the advantage of his owne glory for the clearer manifestation of his glorious Attributes Mercy Justice wisdome power goodnesse c. And secondly because hereby wee are the more clearely convinced of what is done and are more taken more affected with it it makes the deeper impression is set on the more strongly and a mercy in season ingages the heart more firmely and fully than otherwise it would do Peter was not delivered out of Prison at first so soone as the Church prayed for him but God chose a peculiar season even the very night before Herod intended to bring him forth to execution Acts 12. God made Hanna to wait long for a mercy yea God himselfe waited to be gratious to her at the fittest time when she was in extraordinary bitterne of spirit God gave her her hearts desire a Child of Vse 1 many Prayers and so of many mercies Hence we should learne to magnify the riches of the wisdome and grace of God towards us who not only bestowes good things upon Vse 2 us but his care is also to give them in the fittest time Doth God waite on us to dispense mercies for our best advantage and shall not we waite on God shall not we be content to tarry the Lords leasure which is alwaies the fittest time for the fulfilling of his promises and our prayers as the Prophet encourageth Vse 3 us Psalm 27.14 Wait on the Lord be of good courage and he shall strengthen thine heart wait I say on the Lord. Is God seasonable in all his dispensations towards us let us then labour to be seasonable in bringing forth fruit unto him and one towards another It is true we should beare good fruits continually but yet there are some especiall times some seasons opportunities which are advantages in our actings for God our selves and others these a Christian should watch for and wisely mannage The ninetie seventh Observation in Nature THe Roote of a tree communicates and gives up sap to all the Branches one as well as another to the smalest as well as to the greatest the least branch or Twig upon the Tree yea the least bud upon the least branch hath as constant and reall a supply of sap from the roote as the greatest bough or branch upon the Tree This shadowes out unto us Proposition shadowed That Jesus Christ gives forth as constant a supply of all grace to the meanest of his people as to those who are most eminent Christ takes care of all his people he will not loose or neglect the least member John 17.12 Those that thou gavest me I have kept and none of them is lost He praies for them all Iohn 17.21 That they all may be one as thou father art in me and I in thee c. He provides milke for babes as well as strong meate for such as are better growne 1 Cor. 3.2 And chargeth Peter againe and againe as he would shew his love to him to feede his Lambs and his Sheepe Iohn 21.15 16 17. He gives a charge to all that they take heed that they offend not nor despise one of his little ones Matth. 18.10 He is the good and carefull Shepheard that takes care of all his sheep and feeds them Iohn 10. He carries the Lambs in his bosome and gently leadeth such as are young Esay 40.11 not one of his little ones shall perish Matth. 18.14 And as he writs unto the elder and stronger Christians the fathers and young men so also to his little Children 1 John 2.12 13. c. He takes care of all and communicates grace and supplyes to all to the meanest and weakest as well as the strongest Yea and rewards all that shew good will though the smalest kindnesse to the least of his Members as if they had donne it to himselfe Matth. 25.40 Verily I say unto you in as much as ye have done it unto the least of these my brethren yee have done it unto me Vse 1 This magnifies the riches of the free grace and love of Jesus Christ towards his people who though he be exalted on high and set at the right hand of God farre above all Principality and power and might and dominion and every name that is named not only in this world but also in the world to come Ephe. 1.21 yet he remembers his people even every one of them as well the least and meanest as the strongest and most eminent of them as well the Lambs little Children and babes as strong men and fathers and communicates of his fulnesse grace for grace as well to one as to another in their measure as really as the Roote does sap to all the branches small and great Vse 2 This is a ground of strong and lasting consolation to all weake believers who are still under doubts and feares by reason of their weaknesse let such know and consider that Christ upholds them though they are but small and weake twigs or branches being united to the stock or Roote the same nourishes them and gives up by his spirit sure and constant supplies of sap and life unto them whereby they live and grow and beare fruit some more some sesse as really as the greatest branches His love is to one as