satisfied with age Ps 91.16 Seeing our lives are so uncertaine and that wee know not when Vse 1 our Lord will come Mark 13.35 Whether in the evening or at midnight or at the dawning of the day we should therefore be alwaies ready that is to be sure that we have an interest in Christ without which there can be no preparation for death This shewes the desperate estate of all unregenerate persons they are in danger every moment of a sudden destruction and Vse 2 many times it comes in the height and fulnesse of their outward prosperity as with Herod upon the Throne of his glory Belshazzar in the midst of his feast Dan. 5.6 Haman at the Banquet of wine in his glory Hester 7.10 I have seen saith David the wicked in great power and spreading himselfe like a greene Bay-tree c. But how quickly was he gon Psal 37.35 Hence we should be stirred up to bring forth good and profitable Vse 3 fruits that so the husbandman may take care of us and nourish and prune and order his fruit-trees for many yeares according to his promise Prov. 10.27 My sonne keepe my Commandements for length of daies and long life and peace shall they adde to thee especially let us attend to the works of our generation according to the pointing out of the word and hand of providence The seventy fourth Observation in Nature WE see by experience that what kinds of seeds of fruit-trees wee sow in our Nurseries such will be the trees and consequently the fruits of those trees if the seed be good the trees and fruits will be so also if the seed be naught so will be the trees and fruits the seed containes in it the forme of the trees and fruits This is another Similitude of the state of spirituall fruit-trees and shadowes out unto us this Proposition That Proposition shadowed According to mens Principles such are their actings and their rewards according to both Originall sin corruption of Nature is the seede that lies in the soule of all mankind which naturally springs up and growes like a plant or tree higher and larger and stronger every day branching it selfe and breaking forth in thoughts words and works now according to the Nature of this seede or these branches or trees such will be the fruits Jer. 6.19 Behold I will bring evill upon this people even the fruit of their thoughts we see what those fruits were in the following words even perishing and destruction Also Jer. 32.19 Thine eyes are upon all the waies of the sonnes of men to give everie one according to his waies and according to the fruit of his doings And againe Hos 10.13 Ye have prolonged wickednesse ye have reaped iniquity ye have eaten the fruit of lies and what the fruit was we see in the following verses dashing in peeces and utter destruction So also on the other side the seed or principles of grace in the soule springs up and growes like a tree into a body boughes and branches which bring forth good and pleasant fruits whereof we may eat not only in this life but also to all Eternity This seede springs up and branches it selfe into thoughts words actings multitudes of-waies in our conversations a wholsome tongue is a tree of life Prov. 15.3 The fruit of this Tree in Prayer Praises c. hath a sweete and acceptable tast in the account of the husbandman So also is it pleasant unto men Prov. 25.11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of Gold in pictures of silver All sorts of spirituall seede brings forth answerable fruits Gal. 6.8 He that soweth to the spirit shall of the spirit reap life everlasting The spirit of God and the habits of grace in the soule continually spring up and bring forth good fruits persons in whom these dwell act according to their Natures and fruits and rewards are accordingly dispensed Rom. 6.22 Ye have your fruit unto holinesse and the end everlasting life These things being so they call aloud to every unregenerate Vse 1 person to breake off their sinnes by Repentance thereby to cut off all the boughes and branches that spring from the seed and roote of corrupt Nature otherwise they will certainly bring forth poysonous and deadly fruits whereof they shall eat and drinke to all eternity Rom. 7.5 The motions of sin which were by the Law did worke in our Members to bring forth fruit unto death Naturall men cannot act any thing that 's good because ther 's no good seede no spirituall principles therefore it necessarily followes their fruit will be bitter Gal. 5.7 Be not deceived God is not mocked for whatsoever a man sowes that shall he also reape he that seweth to the flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption The fruit the reward is perdition eternall misery They shall eat the fruit of their owne way Prov. 1.31 so also Job 4.8 and Prov. 22.8 Men may as rationally expect pleasant Apples from Crab-seede or good wheat from Tare seede as comfort or happinesse from coâ—rupt Principles This Proposition is a ground of unspeakable comfort and encouragement Vse 2 unto all that feare God they have a seede within them 1 Joh. 3.9 his seed remaineth in him that is the vigour the workings the efficacy of the spirit Principles and habits of grace the word of God these remaine in believers which spring up grow and bring forth fruit to eternall life the fruit is according to the seede their reward according to their Principles and actings Gal. 6.8 He that now goes on his way weeping and beareth good seede shall doubtlesse come againe with joy bringing his sheaves with him Psalm 126.6 Ther 's an Emphasis in the word doubtlesse out of all question nothing more certaine we shall reap in due time if we faint not Gal. 6.9 And that we may not faint let us often make use of these cordiall promises already mentioned with this and the like wrought downe to us from the hand of God Esay 3.10 say ye to the righteous it shall goe well with them for they shall eat the fruit of their doings The seventie fifth Observation in Nature Of this see at large Obser 64. FRuit-trees are profitable many waies in the wood and boughes pruned off to burne also for Ioyners and other Tradesmen the boughes and blossomes adorne the house in the spring their odor is refreshing to the spirits and their coole shade in the heat of summer but especially profitable in their fruits whereof we eat and drink all the year long This is another Similitude and shadowes out unto us this Proposition That Proposition shadowed Spirituall Fruit-trees ingrafted into Christ are many waies profitable in their Generations Such as fear God will certainly follow some profitable course of life some lawfull calling or labour either of body or mind or both whereby they may advantage themselves and others They are also profitable in many spirituall respects by discourse reproofe counsell and admonition by Prayer Preaching
strive one against the other so that it is the care of the husbandman and is or should be our continuall labour and businesse to strengthen the spirituall part against the fleshly part We find by Experience That while the spirituall part acts lively and strongly the Carnall part is downe While it is by the Spirit of God raised up to a high pitch and enlarged with delight and joy in God and Communion with him in Meditation and Prayer then all the while Corruptions are low and weake and as it were subdu'd The Apostle tells us what we must doe to keep downe Corruptions Gal. 5.16 This I say walk in the spirit and ye shall not fulfill the lusts of the flesh While the soule is in a spirituall frame and hath cleare apprehensions of the love of God in Christ then it is active and lively in all the waies of God Luk. 11.21 though the flesh be as a strong man Armed yet when this spirituall man that is stronger then he riseth up and bestirs himselfe he is able to bind him and keepe him under and rules in the soule untill there be an abating and slacking of his spirituall strength and then the flesh will soone discover it selfe and stirre and act as temptations and occasions arise and then on the other side the Spirituall part acts but weakely it is downe low flat wanting life and power during such stirrings and workings of the flesh Rom. 7.23 I see a Law in my members warring against the Law of my mind and leading me captive c. This should teach us often to observe and take notice of the actings of our spirits of the frame and temper of them 1 Vse whether the stock or the Graft bud the faster what shootes the soule puts forth of what kind what the motions of our soules are whether holy and spirituall or carnall and earthly cutting off these and preserving and cherishing those If we were watchfull daily and tooke paines with our spirits to keepe them up in a spirituall frame in Communion with God then by degrees the shootes and growths of the spirituall part would become strong and the shootes of the flesh weak and feeble O that this were well weighed and practised by Christians it is the very life Spirit and power of godlinesse thus to walk with God in communion with him hereby we are enabled to doe and suffer all things for God and to resist and keep under the flesh and all Enemies This is the life of our life and heaven upon Earth The twelfth Observation in Nature THe neerer the Branches of a Tree are to the Roots the faster and firmer they are and more free from tossing and shaking by the winds Such grow more fast and steady And the farther off the Branches are from the Roote the more loose and unsteadfast they are the more they are waved and tossed by the winds and motion of the Aire This is another Similitude of the state of spirituall Fruit-trees and shadowes out unto us this Proposition That Proposition shadowed The more closely a Christian walks with God the more steadfast he is and more free from spirituall Enemies Every Mysticall Fruit-tree that beares good fruit is Ingrafted or implanted into Jesus Christ the Roote and Stock from whence all the spirituall sap and life is drawne and derived whereby the Branches grow and beare fruit And experience shewes the neerer the Boughs and Branches are unto the Roote the closer we walke with God the more Communion we have with the father and with his sonne Jesus Christ the more fixed stable and unshaken we are When the soule is a farre off from Christ it is carried and tossed about with divers and strange conceipts and Opinions doubts feares troubles and temptations is moved this way and that way as the top branches of a Tree with the wind The Prophet David walked with God and kept close unto him Psalm 16.8 I have set the Lord alwaies before me he is at my right hand I shall not be moved therefore he saies his heart was established and would not shrinke but was enabled to insult over all Vse 1 Enemies Psalm 46.2 I will not feare though the earth be moved c. As this shewes us the happinesse of those who walke with God so also we may hence see the miserable Condition of those who are out of Christ they being a far off from Christ the whole frame of their soule is unsetled they are like the raging sea that cannot rest Esay 57.20 their Condition is as was said of Reuben Gen. 59.4 unstable as water James 1.8 They are unstable in all thoir waies because a far off from Christ Let this stirre us up to a watchfull and circumspect care in our Vse 2 Conversations to get and keep close to Christ Such as walke closely with God live in another spheare in a higher Orb than the common world though they live with them And notwithstanding there be Commotions and stirs and turning of the world upside downe yet in the spirits of these all is calme and quiet their hearts are fixed and unmoved they feare not evill tydings Psal 112.7 8. because their hearts are fixed trusting in the Lord Psal 15.5 They are as Mount Syon that cannot be removed but abideth fast for ever The thirteenth Observation in Nature IN Materiall fruit-trees the sower Nature of the wild Plants that are grafted upon does still continue in the stock or roote and is not taken away or lost by Engrafting it is only restrained and kept under by the Graft The Nature of the Graft is predominant in the Tree and overrules in bringing forth fruits according to its owne kind although with some small degree of the sower Nature of the stock mixed with it And the two Natures of the Graft and stock continue mixed together so long as the Tree lives This is another Similitude of the state of Mysticall Fruit-trees and shadowes forth unto us this Proposition That Corrupt Nature abides in believers as long as they live Proposition shadowed and is but in part subdued by grace Corruption of Nature though it be not cast out yet it is by degrees more and more subdued restrayned and kept under Rom. 6.6 The old man is crucified with him that the body of sin might be destroyed it is destroyed as to the ruling power of it but not as to the being of it The spirit of God working Principles of Grace or the Divine Nature in the soule does curb restraine and as it were bind Corrupt Nature which of it selfe is as a strong man armed but when a stronger than he cometh he bindeth him and keeps him under Luk. 11.21 Not that he casteth him out as a Land-lord that turnes out an old Tenant when he puts in a new one The Apostle complaineth of it Rom. 7. I find a law in my members warring against the law of my minde c. The experience of all Believers proves this sufficiently Vse 1
Prayers and Discourses because they have not so much Humane Learning as themselves Fourthly In discouraging and hindering such servants of the Lord as desire to improve their Graces and gifts for God endeavoring to commend the Lord Christ to others for their salvation Fiftly By endeavoring to prejudice the minds of men against such who yet God imployes in the work of the Ministry Sixtly In boasting of their Parts and Learning and resting thereon forgetting God who gave it Seaventhly In neglecting to use their Learning for that end for which God bestowed it on them Consider hath God given you larger opportunities and greater helps and advantages than others that you should be more idle and unfruitfull than others the Lord awaken you and make you zealous and active for your Master in this time of need many places have been a long time destitute of godly able Preachers that when he shall come he may say unto you well done good and faithfull servants enter into the joy of your Lord. Concerning the Author of the following Observations and Similitudes what ever Carnall men or the pride of Spirituall men may object as who that is zealous and active for God can escape the censures of some men it evidently appeares to me that the Spirit of God hath carried him on in this work Reject not the work because it is not done by a Publique Minister of the Gospell for many private experienced Christians have beene in this way very profitable to the Church of God These are the last times wherein God fulfills his great Gospell promise in powring out his Spirit upon all flesh and those whom God intends for any speciall service he prepares them for it by some speciall preparations I have seene a large particular Relation composed by this Author of God's dealings with him for many yeares together wherein it appeares that God began betime with him early even the first houre of the day And he hath beene exercised with many Temptations from his youth up having passed through the spirit of bondage early in the morning and by degrees came to close with Christ and to attaine a comfortable assurance of his interest in him But afterwards even about the middle of the day upon the spirits withdrawing and God's hiding of his face for some gratious ends he fell into a long and sad desertion passing through the valley of the shadow of death the paines of hell gat hold upon him and that in an extraordinary way and measure But God by degrees lifted him up out of the deepe Pit out of the Mire and Clay and set his feet upon a Rock and hath put a new song into his Mouth and made him active for God in his Generation As for his following Labours I doubt not but God will make them very usefull and profitable to the people of God what is more helpfull to the understanding and remembring of Spirituall things than plaine and pregnant SIMILITUDES of things which we are daily conversant with all these being also enlarged upon by him and improved to spirituall ends and advantages What was all the old Ceremoniall Law for many hundred yeares but teaching the People by SIMILITUDES Tipes and Ceremonies which were all shadowes of things to come Heb. 10.1 The spirit of God used SIMILITUDES by the Ministry of the Prophets Hos 12.10 yea the great Prophet of the Church frequently used SIMILITUDES in his teachings and Ministers of the Gospell in our daies find them very usefull and profitable in their teachings Wherefore Reader I recommend the following Observations and Similitudes to thy use Praying that the spirit of God may engraft every truth into thy heart and cause it to grow and bring forth much good fruit to the glory and praise of God and thy owne everlasting good STEPHEN FORD Pastor of a Church of CHRIST in CHIPPIN-NORTON Propositions Shadowed out unto us by Observations in Nature and Cleared by Scripture and Experience 1. GOd from all Eternity made choice of what Spirituall Plants he pleased to Plant in his Garden the Church and refused others pag. 1. 2. The dispensations of God towards weak Christians are more gentle than towards such as are strong p. 3. 3. Many Spirituall Fruit-trees bring forth faire and Specious fruits to Observation which yet are unpleasant to the Husbandman p. 5. 4. Persons joyned in any Relation they have comfort or affliction together according to their natures p. 6. 5. God calls his People for the most part in youth and more rarely when they are old p. 8. 6. When the Spirit of God withdrawes then Mysticall Fruit-trees cease growing their Leaves and Fruits fall and they endure sore conflicts for a time but at the returne of the Spirit they are restored to former comforts with advantage p. 13. 7. Generally those persons who are excessive and most curious about the formes of Duties have least of the power of Godlinesse p. 18. 8. By the fruits of Spirituall Trees we may conclude the Nature of the Trees p. 20. 9. Some persons flourish with a profession for a time but in the heat of affliction they fall off p. 22. 10. We should bend all our desires and endeavours that the best gifts graces and Fruits may especially encrease p. 23. 11. While the Spirituall part in us acts and growes strongly the fleshly part acts but weakly so also if the flesh be strong the Spirit is weak p. 26. 12. The more closely a Christian walks with God the more stedfast he is and more free from Spirituall enemies p. 28. 13. Corrupt nature abides in believers as long as they live and is but in part subdued by grace p. 29. 14. It is not any outward excellencies but the Image of God upon the Soul that is the glory of a person p. 30. 15. There is a firme and constant union betweene Christ and every Believer p. 32. 16. Vniversity men ought in convenient time to go forth into the service of the Church and Common-wealth except some choice persons fit for government of the Societies p. 33. 17. Saving grace or the Divine nature in Believers abides in the Soul for ever But common gifts or graces may be lost p. 37. 18. God is well pleased with Zealous and active Instruments in his Works But men of dull indifferent spirits he often layes them aside and puts others in their stead p. 39. 19. The commotions troubles and confusions in the Church of God will end in the settlement peace and glory of it p 41. 20. Believers by ingrafting into Christ do live in him and he in them and are thereby made one with him p. 43. 21. All believers have a likenesse and resemblance of one another in the Image of God upon their soules p. 45. 22. Those whom God purposeth to bring hereafter into his celestiall Paradise he prepareth them for it here in this life p. 47. 23. Grace in the hearts of believers is not suddenly strong but strength is gotten by degrees p. 49. 24.
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
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
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
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
lifted up Lowly Christians are like the lower grounds under hils and neere Rivers upon which when moisture descends from the heavens and from the hills it rests there and makes the ground fat and consequently fruitfull Who was a more fruitfull Christian than David the holy Prophet he was so eminently fruitfull and brought forth so much and so lovely fruits as that God himselfe commends him and saies he walked in all the commandments according to his owne heart one particular excepted and we see of what a spirit he was in respect of humility Psal 131.1.2 My heart is not haughty nor mine eyes lofty my soule is even as a weaned Child And the Apostle Paul discovers a spirit of more then ordinary humility 1 Cor. 15 9. I am the least of the Apostles that am not meete to be called an Apostle And as though that were not low enough he descends lower I am lesse then the least of all Saints Eph. 3.8 But now who among the Apostles or Saints brought forth more and greatter fruits then this lowly tree In nothing was he behind the very cheife Apostles 2 Cor. 12.11 yea he laboured more abundantly then they all 1 Cor. 15.10 and 2 Cor. 11.23 In labours more abundant The Reasons hereof are first humble Christians have more from God then others because neerer God they walke with God and Communicates himselfe to them more then to others as familiar friends communicate secrets one to another so God to the humble soule that walkes with him He giveth grace to the humble 1 Pet. 5.5 He will teach the humbe his way Ps 25.9 but he resisteth the proud and is a farre off from him Secondly Humble soules are communicative they make others partake with them of what God hath given them Children every one plucke fruit from a low Tree and he that watereth shall be watered also himselfe Prov. 11.25 the more they give out the more they have comming in the more good fruit a Tree brings forth the more will the husbandman doe for it by way of culture that it may still bring forth more fruit Thirdly Humble Christians are most fruitfull because they receive profit from all persons from all things they can learne something from everie thing from the meanest from the worst whereas proud persons thinke they have so much that they 'l learne from none so that their advantages are both from heaven and earth as materiall trees growing low neere the ground have not only the sun and raine but also some advantage by the reflection of the sunne beames from the earth which tall high Trees have not Vse 1 Let us be much in love with this pretious grace of humility and beware of pride if we would bring forth much and faire fruits let us labour to be clothed with humility and follow the most glorious Patterne herein Mat. 11.29 Learne of me for I am meek and lowly in heart Then shall wee bring forth much and great fruits whereby our father will be glorified whereof our selves and others may eat and be filled But here we may stand and take up a lamentation for what we see contrary in many of the people of God in our daies especially among those who have best parts and abilities O what shall we doe to pluck up this poysonous destructive Plant from among the good plants of grace This has a strong hold even in many of the Saints and is like that uncleane spirit Mat. 17.21 which goeth not out but by Prayer and fasting with great striving and much adoe Consider is it no Argument against it in that it puts us a farre off from God in respect of that close communion we might otherwise have with him and secondly it almost stifles and chokes our graces that they cannot act at they doe in the humble soule thirdly it blemishes and cloudes exceedingly both in the eye of God and humble soules the beauty and honour of Christians in this life and lessens their future glory and that for ever This is for the honour and praise as well as for the consolation Vse 3 of humble saints who though they be lowest perhaps in outward respects here in the world yet are they in highest esteeme with God their humility exalts them even in the accompt of God and such low spreading Trees shrubs in their owne eyes when they are transplanted into the Garden of God in Paradise shall be set upon the highest ground and be the talest Trees there farre above many of their breathren who in this life are farre above them The one and thirtieth Observation in Nature THe Roote body boughes branches and small Twigs of a Tree make but one body or substance Though the parts of a Tree are distinguished and knowne by severall names and are divided into multitude of boughes branches and twigs yet all of them are so joyned together as that they make up but one body or substance This shadowes out unto us That Jesus Christ and his people Proposition shadowed though multitudes of distinct persons yet are so united as that they make but one body Christ is the head of his Church and all believers being united to him by faith are his Members 1 Cor. 12.27 Col. 1.18 Ye are the body of Christ and members in particular Now there is not a more reall union in nature between the head and the Members in the body of a man or betweene the Roote and branches of a tree then there is betweene Christ and his people When Christ ascended up on high he gave Gifts unto men for the perfecting of the saints the body of Christ Eph. 4.12 That they may grow up into him in all things which is the head even Christ vers 15. From whom the whole body fitly joyned together and compacted by that which every joynt supplyeth according to the effectuall working in the measure of every part maketh increase of the body unto the Edifying of it selfe in love vers 16. Christ calls himselfe the Vine Joh. 15.5 that is the bottome stock or Roote of the Vine and his people are the Branches Now as the Branches being joyned and made one with the Roote doe receive all their nourishment sap and life from the roote whereupon they increase and without which they would certainly die and wither so it is betweene Christ and his people there being a reall mysticall union and onenesse betweene this head and this body life and nourishment is given from the head to the body Col. 2.19 from which head all the body by joynts and bands having nourishment ministred and knit together increaseth with the increase of God Vse 1 This is a ground of unspeakable consolation to believers for this being so Christ will certainely take care of them being joyned to Christ and one with Christ they shall have life nourishment strength wisdome righteousnesse holinesse all good things in this life out of his fulnesse and glory hereafter for ever it cannot be otherwise for in so doing
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
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
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
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
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
Of this see at large 100 101 c. up from the Roote to preserve the tree in life against all anoyances by the aire extracting out the sap or by dry cold winds frosts mildewes blasting or the like that els would destroy the tree This shadowes out unto us That There is a continuall secret supply of strength from Christ Proposition shadowed to every believer in time of desertion and temptation to preserve from totall falling away The Lord hath foretold his people that through many tribulations they must enter into the kingdome of God and hereafter in heaven it shall be said of them these are they that came out of great tribulations They must goe through many tryals and temptations in this world yea some of them go through fiery tryals very sharpe hot terrible temptations both in reference to the outward and inward man when not only all creatures seeme to be against them but even God himselfe also God sometimes hides his face and answers not yea seems as an enemie and yet in all these deepe Ps 69.2 Lam. 3.54 Waters flowed over mine headâ— then I said I am cut off waters and flouds that runne over them they are preserved from drowning their head is above water yea and a secret hand underneath upholds them from sinking God bids all his redeemed ones take notice of this Esay 43.2 feare not for I have redeemed thee I have called thee by thy name thou art mine when thou passest through the waters I will be with thee and through the Rivers they shall not overflow thee when thou walkest through the fire thou shalt not be burnt c. David was in great distresse when he said I am forgotten as a dead man out of minde I am like a broken vessell Psal 31.12 yet helpe was neerer then he was aware of which he afterwards perceived and acknowledged v. 22. I said in my hast I am cut off from before thine eyes neverthelesse thou heardest the voice of my supplications In the winter of desertion and distresse of soule when the sunne is clouded yea and gone a farre off too as to the soules apprehension when a poore creature can perceive no motions of the spirit nor workings of any grace when there 's no buds not blossoms no leaves nor fruits to be perceived upon the tree no signe of life no sun-shine nor showers no dewes no refreshing but contrariwise Clouds and darknesse round about cold boysterous winds sharp hard frosts stormes of snow and haile all discouragements deadnesse hardnesse of heart all kinds of temptations from within and without yet even then there are secret supports from and by the hand of Christ he is there present and oversees all and manages all for the good of the poore soule for otherwise the spirit would faile it could not be able to beare up under the weight of these temptations Vse 1 The consideration of this may be a Cordiall to poore distressed soules Psal 69.2 when they sinke and stick fast in the deepe mire where there is no standing when they are fallen into deepe waters where the floods runne over them Let them know and consider that the thoughts of God towards them are not as their thoughs They sometimes say or are ready to say and think as the distressed Church did Esay 49.14 The Lord hath forsaken me and my Lord hath forgotten me But what are their thoughts of God in the meane time towards such poore discouraged soules his thoughts are thoughts of love even the most tender love passing the love of the most tender Mothers towards their deare Children Esay 49.13 Can a woman forget her sucking child that she should not have compassion on the sonne of her womb yea they may forget yet will I not forget thee Though God withhold sometimes the evidence of his love from his people yet his love changeth not though he seeme to cast downe and overthrow yet he doth secretly uphold Vse 1 Therefore let such of his people that walke in darknesse and have no light trust in the name of the Lord and stay themselves upon their God Esay 50.10 and in the use of all good meanes waite for deliverance for as God giveth now a sure and secret support in and under the affliction so he will give in his time a full deliverance that his people may praise him The hundred Observation in Nature FRuit-trees give forth their fruits as freely to the poore as to the Rich they naturally beare as much and as good fruit in the poore mans Garden or Orchard as in the rich mans They are all one as free and liberall to the poore as to the Rich and greatest persons Hence we may learne That True Christians doe communicate of their good things as freely to the poore as to the Rich. There are Rules and commands to use and improve our Talents of all good things for the good of all Poore and Rich but especially to give out and distribute to the Poore and meaner sort and more especially to those that are Godly Gal 6.10 Do good unto all but especially to the houshold of faith 1 Tim 6.18 Be ready to distribute willing to comunicate He. 13.16 To do good communicate for get not This is a just Reproofe unto those who call themselves Christians and it may be are so and yet have little regard to the Poore and meaner sort of persons who live amongst them in any the good things Vse 1 they communicate Many of the greater sort of persons Professors and others are free in their Gifts and benefits one towards another frequently inviting and feasting one another but few or none of the Poore or meaner ranke of Christians are the better for all such expences directly contrary to the Rule and command of our blessed Saviour as though they had never heard of any such thing where he saies plainely Luk. 14.12 When thou makest a dinner or a supper call not thy rich neighbours and freinds least they bid thee againe and a recompense be made thee but call the poore c. and thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just Though this place be not so to be taken as though the rich might not be invited yet it is much more strong for the poore But how far are many Rich Professors from walking by this rule or the Example of Job Chap. 31 17. who tels us he eat not his Morssels alone but the poore had part with him and this was a ground of comfort to him in his greatest troubles What will such persons answere our blessed Lord at the last day when he tels them ye were ashamed of me in my poore Members ye owned them not yee invited and entertained one another freely and frequently but my poore brethren were not amongst you although ye knew your Masters will in this thing yet ye did it not but walked contrary to it Vse 2 This is for the honour comfort of those who communicate of their good things as well or much rather to the poore and meanest Members of Jesus Christ as to the Rich And according to the Example of Christ owne them for brethren To these he will say come ye blessed Children of my father inherit the kingdome for in as much as ye shewed kindnesse to these my brethren ye did it unto me Mat. 24 34. Thus have I through the assistance of God performed my promise to make up what was formerly published an 100 Observations in Nature with Similitudes together with their improvement to spirituall uses I have many more in my Nursery but most are yet in the seede or Bud which when they are growen up and enlarged as these into a Body and Branches I shall if the Lord please communicate them also that others if they will but receive them be content to have them planted in their owne Gardens may partake of their Fruits such Fruits as the Apostle speakes of Gal. 5. and Col. 1.6 And it is my desire and supplication to the great husbandman that he will engraft every truth into our hearts and cause it to grow and thrive by the Sunshine and Raine of heaven and to bring forth much good fruit unto himselfe pleasant savory fruits such as he loveth and will eat of that his soule may blesse us yea whereof we our selves may also feede not only heâ— but to all Eternity FINIS