i tta $to%*aj 
 
 PRINCETON, N. J. 
 
 ' i 
 
 l 
 
 jre. 
 
 Collection 
 
 of Puritan Literati 
 
 Division 
 
 Section 
 
 Number 
 
 
S'i0kn4,<jtji < , 
 
 The Spiritual! ufe of an 
 
 Orchard, or Garden of 
 
 ■&<e\ 
 
 Set forth in. clivers Similitudes betweene 
 
 Naturall and Spirituall fruit-trees, in their 
 
 Natures , and ordering , according to ; 
 Scripture and Experience. 
 
 The fecond ImprefE©n-, with the Addition of many Similitudes. 
 By R A: AUSTEN? Author of the firit part. 
 
 Hof- 12.10. / have ufed Similitudes by the Mini (trie of the Prophets. 
 Jer: 1 7. %. He jhall be as a Tree planted by the waters . and that fpread- 
 
 eth out her Roots by the River , and Jhall not fee when heat cometh , but 
 
 her leafe jhall be greene 7 and jhall not be, care full in the year of drought, 
 
 neither jhall ceafe from yeilding fruit. 
 Rom: 11.23. ^And they alfo 7 if they abide notjlillin unbeleife,fhall be 
 
 grafted in , for God is able to graft them in againe. 
 Joh/15.1,2. $ am the true Vine 5 and my Father is the husbandman. 
 
 Every branch that beareth fruit he purgeth it? that it may bring forth 
 
 more fruit. 
 Cant. 2. 3. Like the Apple-tree among the Trees of the f or re ft, fois my 
 
 beloved among the fonnes. I fate downe under his fiadow with great 
 
 delight? and his fruit was Jweet to my tajl. 
 
 OXFORD, 
 
 Printed by HEN: HALL, Printerto the UNIVERSITY, 
 tor THO; ROBINSON. NL-DC.LVII, 
 
ie|)»i 
 
 k£l>c! 
 
 
 Aug: z. \6$6. 
 
 Imprimatur; fOHJ^d OWE^iz 
 Vice-'Qan: Oxon: 
 
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(*A Treface to the Reader. 
 
 A V I N G in the fir ft part ofthU wyj^fpoken aC 
 large, concerning the ordering of Natura/l 
 Fruit tress , in all refpecls, and ofthegreae 
 'Profit j, Pleafures, and Advantages that arife 
 thence; I (hail now confider Fruit-trees upon 
 another Accompt. and endeavour to make 
 fome Spirituall ufe , r and improvement of them. 
 And this ftiould be 'our care, as to all crea* 
 tures which we have to do with , upon ail occafions.- according to 
 the example of our Lord, and Saviour , whofe ufe it was to fpiritua- 
 life Natura/l and Morall things , when he converted with us in his 
 bodily prefence, as we fee frequently in Scripture. When the Pha- 
 risees fpake of wafting their hands before meate* Matth. 15. 2 0. 
 Chrift inftrucls them (thereupon) about Jpirituall defilements; 
 when the woman of Samaria came to draw water % Chrift tells her. 
 cf living water, Joh.4. 10. When his difciples brought him Mea r e % 
 he tells them hs had meate they knew not of, it was meate, and drinks 
 to him to do hi* fathers will, Jo.4.34 When the man fpake of having 
 his inheritance divided Luk.. 12. 13. our Saviour (thereupon ) in* 
 ftrucls him, and others at large , to beware of ccveteaufnejfe, and 
 worldly cares: when the multitude followed him hav.ng eaten of 
 the Loaves, Jo. 6. Chrift thereupon counfellsthem to Ubomfor the 
 meat that peri/beth not^for the bread of lift: , Joh. 6. 2 6. 
 
 And many (piritua/l things heilluftratesby Similitudes from Na~ 
 twalltbings : as we fee Matth. 13. ( and many other places )from 
 Seede, Tares^Muftard-feed^Leaven^ a Trtafure in the Feild t a TearUy 
 
 t 2 a 
 
A Preface to the Reader* 
 
 a dragnet &c. So (hould we make a Spirit mil ufecf Naturali 
 things*, and fo turne Earth ( as it were ) into heaven. 
 
 When we have gone through ail the wcrkes and labours to be 
 performed in the Orchard, and have received thereby a rich re- 
 commence of Temporall Profits and Phafmes in the ufe of the Trees 
 and Fruits , we may ( beftdes ail that ) make a Spirit null fife of 
 them, and receive more and greater Profits and Tleaiures thereby. 
 Men are not wont to (lint tbemfelves zX mrdly Trofits , but why 
 are they not willing to receive all kinds of Tr* fits, or why are they 
 not willing to receive the greatefi, zndbeft? fhould aroancbufe, 
 and preferre a Glaffcbeade or Toy before fome Prttiows, and Rich 
 fiVpeflj would he not be centered for a foolifh man: how much 
 more foolifh , and unwife is he that feeks after Temporall Profits, 
 and neglefts Spiritually and EternalU therefore be carefull to make 
 a fpirituall improvement of 'ftxit- trees* 
 
 The World is a great Library , and Fruit trees are fome of the 
 Book* wherein we m^y read and tee plainely the Attributes of God, 
 his Tower, Wifdome, Goodne(fe &c. and be Infhuded and taught 
 our duty towards him in many things^ven from Fruit- trees: for as 
 trees ( in a Metaphoricall fence ) are 'Books , fo Itkewife in the 
 fame fence they have a Voyce, and fpesk plainely to us, and teach 
 us many good leflon?. 
 
 The Lord 'Bacon faies, god hath tVco great Books tyhiehwe ought 
 to fludy , h\$ Word , and his Wot fy* the one difcovershu Will, the 
 other his ToVcer. . 
 
 The Apoftle faies Rom. 1 . 20. Theinvifible things of him from ths 
 freation of the War Id are clearely fcene, being underftoedby the things 
 that are made, even his Eternall Tovoer and Godhead. 
 
 The Creatures ofGodut to be fludied as Books, for in them we 
 may resd the Attributes of God and obferve fome ftaall refem- 
 biances , and darke fhadowes of his infinite Excellencies , and Per- 
 jttlions; they are feene Per fpeculum {^reaturarumi They who can- 
 not read a hneJn any Printed Book > may read many good leflbns 
 in the Book of the Creatures. 
 
 Fruit-trees though they are dumb companions, yet (in a fence ) 
 The Saints we may difcourfe with them: The works of God fpeak to the mind 
 fouk waking as his Word does to the Eare* Mr Bculton faies Our Eyes ( Efre- 
 3 T« pTo^ P ' c ** U 1 9n the s «Math day ) ought a little Bees fall upon [ever -all cbjecls, 
 
A Preface to the* Reader, 
 4»i from them ( as from fo many Flowers ) gather hony] and bring it 
 into the hive; That is y fweetyheavenly t vehol[ome ^Meditations for mag- 
 nifying the Creator in all his Attributes. 
 
 Fruit-trees and orher Creatures do truely ( though without an 
 articulate voyce ) Preach the Attributes and perfeilions of god 
 to us; And we may read divine Truthesin them, as in a Book 
 confiding of words and fentences; the Creatures of God ( ac- 
 cording to their natures) fpeak out the prat fts of God, Pf. 145. 
 10. tsSll thy worses praife thee Lord , and among them Fruit full 
 Trees 9 1 48.0. 
 
 Things without fenfe or life,have a voyce,and fpeak to us,P/".ip. 
 The Heavens declare the glory of God. verf. 3 . Their vojces are heard 
 in every language, or T^ation. and verf. 4. Their words go to the ends 
 of the World. 
 
 So'that not only rationall and irrationall,but even Inanimate Crea~ 
 tares have a voyce , and fpeak loudly to men, and it is our doty to 
 learne their language, and hearken to them. 
 
 All Creatures ( as a holy Manfaies) have a teaching vcjce, thfj 
 read vu divinity Leblures 0} divine Providence. 
 
 We rouft be content to ftoope to their way and mannerof 
 teaching, as the Egyptians and others in former times, who were in- 
 ftrucled by Characters and Hyeroglyphiques, by fomething repre- 
 sented to the eye, Notions were conveyed to the undemanding. 
 
 Dumbe Creatures fpeak virtually and convincingly to the mind, and 
 fonfcience. 
 
 If we make ule of Creatures to ferve our turne only in reference 
 to our outward man, we roske not halfe that ufeof them as we 
 ought, we (hould fludy the Creatures and learne from them, to 
 bring us rearer the Creator, Climbing up by them, as by fieps, or 
 fiaires, ti\[ we afcend to the highcdGood. 
 
 How muchof the goodneffe and excellencies of God do Fruit- 
 trees (tf w forth when they ( in their feafons ) flourifTi with Leaves 
 Blfiffvmt.s and Fruits-, efpeciaSly confidered not only as they appeare 
 beaucitull to the eye, but a Ifo with all their inward beauties and per» 
 feclions, their virtues, and ufes in the life of man} Both in Alimentall 
 AndThyftcalltefyefts-, but mod of all, as they are Similitude s and 
 beare the figure, and refemblanceofmany high and great My fleries 
 in the Word of God ; the Aoalogie and'refcoiblance is very neere 
 
 m 
 
r A Preface to the Reader, " 
 fore his coming in the ftelh, by his Prophets, as we fee Hof; 12. 10! 
 1 have fifed Similitudes by xhi Utylwiflry of the Prophets : (b We find 
 in Efay, Ez?kiel,and'the reft. 
 
 One faies, <& Windowes are to a houfe, fo are Similitude s to a 
 Difcowfe : they both lee in light to fee and difcerne things that c~ 
 therwife would be obfcure. 
 
 Fruit-trees are a Test from which may beraifed many profit* 
 able Dotlrines, and Concluftons^ which may be proved by Scripture^ 
 and Experience. 
 
 Now therefore; feeing many things may be learned from Fruit- 
 trees for Spiritual! profir; I (hall fet downe fome Obfervations which 
 J have made upon them , difcovering the Nature , and ordering of 
 T^atm ally and Spirituall Fruit-trees, in divers Si mi litude s, ac- 
 cording to Scripture, and experience, fpeaking of moft particulars 
 ■very breifiy. 
 
 As I have planted many thoufands of Naturall Fruit»trees for 
 the good of the Common- We alth, foalfol have taken lome 
 Spirituall Cjences, or grafts trom them ( I meane kvtnll Propcjitir 
 ons drawne from Observations in Afcf#r*,which are fome what bran* 
 ched forth into Boughes, and twiggs ) and bound them up and fenc 
 them abroad for the good of the Church of god: And if men will buc 
 accept of them, and be content to have them engrafted in their own 
 Gardens , ( their hearts and minds } by the Husbandraans watering 
 of them by his Spirit, they will grow,and bIoflbrae,and beare much 
 good fruit, here and for ever. 
 
 Fruits of Faith, Love t loy^ i Teace % and other Fruits of the SpirifJ 
 "Bunches of Qrapes, For the feeding, and refreshing of our Soules as 
 we travell through the fvilderuejft t and the increafe of our Glory 
 hereafter in Canaan to all Eternity. 
 
 Which Improvement the Great Hujbandman grant unto Thee , re* 
 get her with 
 
 Thy Servant in the Lord, 
 
 K A. ^A U S T £ AT. 
 
 - 
 
To my deare Friend and ^Brother in the 
 
 Lord Mr. K, Aniline the Author of 
 
 the Treatife of Fruit-trees, 
 
 SIR, 
 
 H E benefit my felfe and others have received from 
 your godly fociety and Gofpell conversation here- 
 tofore may be argument enoDgh for us thankfully 
 to embrace your pregnant fimtlitudes and Gofpell 
 obfervations. I muft confefTe I am bound to blefle 
 the Lord , for the acquaintance and familiarity I 
 formerly had and fliil ha*ve with you: I feidome came to your gas- 
 den but you made your trees [peakjomziblng of Chrift and the go- 
 fpell ; your cufteme was to prefent your Chriftian friends and vi» 
 ficors with fuch clutters of gofpell grapes which you now fend a- 
 broad to the world. 
 
 Its admirable to fee what fpirituail improvements you have made 
 of your 2%jtrferjX the Reader (if he have fenfes exercifed toreHifh 
 and diftingmjh) will foone tafte the fweetneffe of your fpirituail 
 fruit, efpecially confidering. 
 
 i . That you take your rife from fuch things as are obvious and * im cumpm- 
 familiar to every mans Capacity, which may eafily fee the minds b ^f^ lli ^econ 
 of the Readers on work upon Jefus Chriff; duo ilia nos maxime mo- 
 vent: ftmilittdo f & exemplumx Cic. 3 ♦ de Orau ^he Creatclres 
 2. Its wonderfull to fee fo much Gofpell gathered from nature* all fpeak thus 
 Twiggs : The naturall voyce of the creatures tell us that God is, «^w" fecit me 
 hs Ariflotle and Cjalen report: but none ever made t he creatures P ,0 P ter te, fecit 
 ( in fo plaine 3 and "familiar a manner ) fpeak of Chnft before. Be2!f 
 
 I mull; acquaint the Reader, that here is in your Similitudes go- 
 fpell profit with foule delight and pleafure. The fpirituail Reader * ?&* tr.'m 
 is here taught how to meete with Chrift among!? the Mirth Trees. Ht *"&pbicta- 
 
 Sir, we muft all give you thanks for your pjous explication of ?J. W liTm 
 natures-* Hieroglyphic kj ; whereby you have made the creatures mmmentafcul* 
 fpeak plaine , Its goipdi wiledorne that mud make your young ptisapmalitm 
 plants to beare fuch apples of gold* 'Do men gather grapes ofthornes H Urif fignifi* 
 »fig* of thifltii faith Chrifl. No: naturally they will not yeeld foch ^f l ^ u "° b ' 
 
 t t Kinds ' ' ,zl ' 
 
kinds of fruit , but he re arc fpiritaall grapes from natures wild 
 trees, thats admirable. 
 
 3. The Reader may obferve that you make the dead to fpeak 
 }oh.i$1i.6l as wellasche living.Imeaneyoar withered and unprofitable plants 
 ^f^f.15.13. which you caft out of your Nurfery yeelds mod profitable obfer- 
 Lttl^i^.j. vations. The Lord will have a time to root out every tree, and 
 
 cut offevery branch which beares no fruit : not a body onely but 
 fap, not leaves but fruit which the Lord likes in profeffors. 
 
 4. Yottr varieties of fpirituall fruit may exceedingly pleafe the 
 godly Reader ; mens minds naturally are much delighted with va- 
 riety : all the fimilitudes in the world will not reach to that fulnefle 
 and variety of fulnefTe which is in the Lord lefus Chrift ; we read 
 Revel: 22. 2. of a Tree that bare twelve manner of f,tiits\ which 
 
 Mr Diodati. Tree is ChriiT,faith a Reverend man in his pious Annotations. 
 
 v Its a myftety to the world that Beleivers fhould bring forth va- 
 
 R ir 26 r, ' et y °^ fcwtstoCbrift, and yet receive all manner of fruits from 
 
 '* ' Chrift i of him and by him and through him (and therefore to 
 
 C // 2 3 ' ^' m ) ^ e a ^ tn ' n 8 s ♦ ® m bfi u bidin Chnft as the root j our graces 
 
 '*! are all from him, our fap, froie and all: therefore its obfervable 
 
 ConCder the w ^ at ^ out ^ * ls ' ^ s Chrift, the Prophets, and Apofties were 
 
 L'lll sh wonC t0 ' cn ^ ment0 Trees, Fruits, and Plants for divine confide* 
 
 their ow rations, now lead men fhould fix too much here,you drive to fetch 
 
 ™ r w the minds of the Readers off from them all to Chrift againe , and 
 
 especially by the fame way. The good Lord open our eyes that we 
 
 may follow on in your path; that as we have all felt the mifery 
 
 following of our eating the forbidden fruit, we may eat now of 
 
 this Tree of life. So prayes 
 
 Sir, 
 
 Decemb. 24. Tour very loving Friend 
 
 165 6. 
 
 and Brother in the Lord 
 
 J. F. A Minifier 
 
 of the C off ell. 
 
to the READER, 
 
 H E blefTed God hath a Jpeeiall worl^ to do in the 
 world, in which he imployes his faithful! fervants, 
 and fuch oftentimes as are (incomparifonof o- 
 thers ) but as 'Babes in Chrifi ; when fuch as the 
 men of the world efteeme the only wife men , are 
 rejected of the Lord* God for his owne glory is 
 pleafed to fraine the pride of men : to puli down fuch as lift up them- 
 felves, and attribute that glory to therofelves which is only due to 
 Godj and exalts fuch as are of low degree ,Luk.i. 52,5 3. fuch as fee, 
 & are hartily affected with their owne emptineiTe,and insufficiency, 
 and are enabled to role themfelvesonGod , for wifdome, and 
 ftrength to do his work faithfully. God hath for the molt part 
 made ufe of Inftruments to bring about hbgreat dejignes , and in" 
 terefts^ both in Church and State : fuch as have been fcorned, and 
 contemned by ungodly learxedmen, who reject the pretious truths 
 of God, becaufe God fends and imployes fuch of his fervants to 
 difpence them unto men , that have not luth humane learnings Ti- 
 tles^ and degrees as themfelvestheonly things in a carnall Eye,but 
 poore, low thingsinafpirituallEye, in comparifon of the teach- 
 ings of the fpirit of God. I know, and do freely grant, that Hh» 
 nan Learning is a molt choice and excellent gifr, when k is fanctify^ 
 ed in any perfon, and that which God hath made ufe of in his fer- 
 vants fometimes to carry on , and promote his great workes , and 
 interetts in the world.- And I do greatly honour fuch gratiom learn* 
 ed men , as improve their grace and learning for God; and fuch per* 
 fons as have a low elteemeof Learning, and fpeak (lightly of it, 
 or of Learned men becaufe fuch, Idareaffirroefuchmenfpeake* 
 vijl of that which they underitand not. I am no enemy to H#- 
 mme Learnings as fome in the Univerficy have affirmed, and pok 
 feffed others in the Country with the fame opinion of me, my pra- 
 ctife can witneiTej for it is well knowne that Ifpent many yeares 
 in the Univerfity and Country, toobtainealittle, that I might be 
 the more ferviceable to God in my generation; and I find that 
 that which the Lord hath given me, is very ufefull unto me in 
 the work that I am called unto by God, and men. But I (hall 
 intreate, And do timidly defce feme Learned men 7 both in the 
 
 t t 2 Uni- 
 
Ho the Reader, 
 
 Univerfi^ and Country, ferioufly toconfider, whether or no they 
 do not greatly, and apparently abufe their Learning, 
 
 Firft, In preferring it before the Spirit of God, and ihsfaving 
 knowledge of Chrifi. 
 
 Secondly, In having higher thoughts of themfelves than ofo- 
 thers, who it may he, are more Ho/y,and Humble^nd have more 
 of the teachings of the Spirit of God than themfeives. 
 
 Thirdly, lu defpinog, and contemning their Terfons, Sermons, 
 Bockes, Prayers, and T)i(cmrfeS) becaufe they have not fo much 
 Humane Learning as themfelves. 
 
 Fourthly, In difcouraging, and hindering fuch fervants of the 
 Lord as defire to improve their Graces , and gift's fot God , endear 
 voring to commend the Loid Chnft to others for their falvation. 
 
 Fiftly, By endeavoring to prejudice the minds of men againfl 
 fuch, who vet God imployes in the work of the Miniflry. 
 
 Sixtly, In boafting of their Tarts , and Leaning, and reftirig 
 thereon, forgetting God who gave it. 
 
 Seaventhly, In neglecting to ufe their Learning for that end foe 
 which God bellowed it fen them. 
 
 Confider : hath God given yon larger opportunities, and greater 
 helps 7 md advantages than others, that you lliould be more idle t tti& 
 unfmtfuil than others.? the Lord awaken you , and make you zea- 
 lous and active for your Matter in this time of need, (many places 
 have been a long time deflitate of godly able Preachers) that when 
 he (hall come he may fay unto you , well done good and faithfall 
 fervants, enter into the joy of your Lord. 
 
 Concerning the tAmhor of the following Observations , and Si* 
 militudes, what ever (farnallmzn, or the pride of Spiritual! men may 
 object ( as who that is zealous , and a&ive for God, can efcape the 
 cenfures of fome men ) it evidently appeares to me, that the Spirit 
 cf God hath carried him on in this work. Reject not the work 
 becaufe it is not done by a TublicjtieLMinifter of theGofpell, for 
 many private experienced Ckriflians have beene (in this way) ve- 
 ry profitable to the Church of God; Thefe are ihelafi times, 
 wherein God fulfills his great Gcjfie/l promife , in povering out his 
 Spirit upon allfltfh j and thofe whom God intends for any fpeciall 
 fervice , he prepares them for it by tome Jpecia/l preparations. I 
 have feene a large particular Relation , compofed by this Author 
 
 of 
 
To the Reader. 
 
 of God's dealings with hi ra for many ycares together; wherein 
 it appeares, that God began berime with him, early, even rhe firfl 
 home of the day. And he hath beene exercifed with many Tem- 
 ptations from his youth up; having pafled through the jpirit of 
 bondage early in the morning, and by degrees came to clofe with 
 Chrift, and to attaine a comfortable afforance of his inter-eft in 
 him : But afterwards , even about the middle of the day ( upon the 
 fpirits withdrawing and God's hiding of his face for fome gratious 
 ends ) he fell into a long-, and fad defertion, pafling through ibe 
 valley of the (hadow of death- the paines of hell gat hold upon 
 him , and that in an extraordinary way and meafure; But God 
 ( by degrees ) lifted him up out of the deepe Pit , out of the 
 Mire, and Ciay , and fee his feet upon a Rock, and hath put a 
 new long into his Mouth, and made him aftive for God in his 
 Generation. 
 
 As for his following Labours, I doubt not but God will make 
 them very ufefull , and profitable to the people of God: what is 
 more helpful! to the understanding, and remembring of Spiri- 
 tual! things , than plains , and pregnant Similitude s , of 
 things which we are daily converfant with? ( all thefe being al- 
 io enlarged upon by him and improved to fpirituall ends, and 
 advantages,) What was all the old Ceremonial! Law , fot rrsa« 
 ny hundred yeares, but teaching the People by Similitude s , 
 Tipes, and Ceremonies, which were all (hado^es of things to come? 
 Heb. io.' i. The fpirit of God ufed Similitude s by the Mi- 
 jniftry of the Prophets Hof. 12, 10. yeaj the great Prophet of the 
 Church frequently ufed Similitude s in his teachings; and 
 Minifters of the Gofpell in our daies find them very ofefulJj and . 
 profitable in their teachings. 
 
 Wherefore (Reader) I recommend the following Obferva- 
 tions, and Similitudes to tbyule; Praying chat the fpirit of God 
 may engraft every truth into thy heart , and caufe it to grow , and 
 bring forth much good fruit , to the glory and praife of God, and 
 thy owneeverlafting good. 
 
 Stephen Ford, Paftorof 
 a £hurch 0/ Christ in 
 
 Chi ppin#Norton, 
 
 Proper 
 
Proportions Shadowed out unto us 
 
 by obfervationsin Nature ', and Cleared 
 by Scripture and Experience, 
 
 Od from all Eternity made choice of What Spiritual! Plant} 
 he p leafed , to Tlant in hit Garden the Church, and rej 'fifed 
 others pag.r. 1 
 
 2 . The dtffenfations of God towards weakChriftians^ an more gen- 
 tle 9 than towards [ucfh at are fir on g p. j, 
 
 3. Many Spirituall Fruit trees bring forth fair e , and Specious 
 fruits to Ob\ervation, which yet are unpleafant to the Hmbandman p. 5. 
 
 4. Terfons joynedin any Relation, they have comfort \ or afftitlion 
 together according to their natures p. 6. 
 
 5. God calls his F e op le {for the mo ft part) in youth 9 and more 
 rarely when they a*e old p. 8. 
 
 6. When the Spirit of God Withdraws, then Myflicall Fruit- trees 
 ceafe growing, their Leaves and Fruits fall, an A they endure fore con* 
 fit Els for attme, but at the returne of the Spirit , they are reflated to 
 former comforts with advantage p. 1 3 .' 
 
 7. Generally thofe perfons who are exceffive^anh mofl curious about 
 the fcrmis of Duties, have leaft of the poWer ofCjodlineffe p. 1 8* 
 
 8. By the fruits t>f Spirituall Trees, ree may conclude the Nature 
 cf the Trees > p. 20. 
 
 p. Some perfons flour i/h With a prof ejjion for a timeout in the heat 
 cf ajfliilion they fall off P-22. 1 
 
 10. We fhould bend all our de fires , and endeavours that the be ft 
 gifts, graces, and Fruits, may efpecially encreafe p. 23 J 
 
 1 1 . While the Spirituall part in us atls, and growes firongly , the 
 flefhly part aEis but weakly : fo alfo , if the fie fh be ft r on g, the Spirit 
 u Weak^ p. 26* 
 
 12. The more cloftly a ChrifiianWall^s withGod, the more fled* 
 fafi he is, and more free from Spirituall enemies p. 28. 
 
 13. Corrupt nature abides in believers as long as they live, and i& 
 but in pun fubdued by grace P-2£. 
 
 1 4- It is not any cutWard excellencies, but the Image of Cjodupoa 
 
 the 
 
by Obfervations in Nature. 
 
 the Soul, that u the glory of a per f on p. 3 a 
 
 1 y . There is a firme, ardconfiant union betweene C^ r *fl* an ^ eve " 
 
 ry Believer p. 3 2 . 
 
 1 6. ZJniverjity men ought ( in convenient time ) to go forth into 
 the fervice of the Chureh, and Common' wealth '. except fome choice per- 
 fon J fit for government of the Societies p. 3 3 . 
 
 1 7. Saving grace \ or the Divine nature in Believer s^abides in the 
 Soul for ever: But common gifts, or graces may be lofi p. 3 7. 
 
 1 8. Qod is well pleafed With Zealous, andatlive Infiruments in 
 his Works: But men of dull, indifferent Jpirits, he ( often J layes them 
 fifide, and puts others in their fie ad p. 3 9. 
 
 1 9. The commotions i troubles ,and confufions in the Church ofGod % 
 'MU end in thefettlement % peace, and glory of it p 4 1 . 
 
 20. Believers by ingrafting into Chrifi t do live in him, and he in 
 them, and are thereby made one with him p.43 J 
 
 2 1 . All believers have a Hkentffe, and resemblance of one another + 
 in the Image of God upon their foules P*4 S- 
 
 22. Thole Whom Qod purpofeth to bring hereafter into hk celt' 
 Jliall Paradife, he prepareth them for it here, in this life P-47« 
 
 23. Grace in the hearts of believers is not fuddenly firong, but 
 firength is gotten by degrees p. 49. 
 
 24. 1>ifcoveries of the love of God to foules prepared for (thrifts 
 does haften their clofing with him P- 5 r • 
 
 25. A [inner s repentance, and clofing with thrift, caufeth joy both 
 in Heaven, and Earth p. 54. 
 
 1 <5. There is a f\Vset felloftfhip , and communion bet\\>eene God, 
 and his people, God delights in them, and they delight in htm p-5 6. 
 
 27. Who, or whatfoever hinders the enlargment of the (fhurch 
 if God, he Veill certainly , ( and fomttimes with great anger, ) take out 
 of the way p. 60. 
 
 28. The conftant enjoyment ofthebefl things frcm Qod, ( though 
 Corruptions') mikes thsm lejfe noted, and efieemed P-^3. 
 
 29. Our life, groty[h } firength, and all our Jpirituall Atls, are 
 from Chrifi P-^5* 
 
 30. Humble (fhrifiians bring forth farre more , and fairer fiuits, 
 thanfuch whofejpirits are lifted up ?*^7» 
 
 3 1 . Jefus Chrifi,and hu people ( though multitudes of difiintl per- 
 fons ) arefo united, as that they make but one body p 69* 
 
 32» As- 
 
by Obfervations in Nature 
 
 §2. \As we have cur life, and all from fhrifl, foweare continu? 
 ally receiving new fupplies from him^but can adds nothing to kk infinite 
 perfeclions V7 l * 
 
 3 3 . The dijpenfations of God towards his (fhtirch are contrary to 
 the judgments ofmoft people in the tyortd P- 7 3 • 
 
 34. Thofe Vcbo have not the Santlifying Spirit, and grace of (jod 
 
 in thtm, are unfit for the worS^ofthe Afiniftry } fuch bring more pre j u* 
 
 dice than advantage to the Church of God P-7<5. 
 
 3 5- None but engrafted Trees groty in Gods Orchard the Church 83. 
 
 3 6. Thofe fruits ofjpiritua/l fruit -trees which are harjh, fharp, and 
 bitter, are (for the mofl part ) more profitable than fuck as are mild, 
 andpleafant p.84. 
 
 3 7. Thofe perfons are not like to bring forth good fruits in old age, 
 who Ubour not for them in the time of youth p. 86. 
 
 3 8. Thofe Voho do not at! for Cjod, they aU againfl him p. 87. 1 
 
 39. God expetls greater returnes of duty from feme perfons than, 
 from fame others, and negletl thereof provokes Qod againfl thtm p.8 8, 
 
 40. It is not the multitude , nor exatlneffe of performance of du* 
 ties, that God accepts, unleffe there be ftncerity i and right ends in doing 
 thereof P-90. 
 
 41 . The fmalefl meafure of true grace in anj perfon can never be 
 extinguijhed, but will certainly grow up to perfection p, 92. 1 
 
 42. God hath more dt '{honour by thefinnes ofTrofeffors t than by the 
 ftnnes of others p .93. 
 
 43 . Converfion in youth U notfo apparent as in ela\er yeares P-95- 
 
 44. The great perfons in the Vcorld, who are in Chrifl t are but fety 
 in number, in rtfpetl of the meaner fort P-9& 
 
 4J. Although beleivers arefhaken by the Vvinds of temptations^ yet 
 they cannot be overturned, becaufe they are fixed upon (fhrifi p. 97. 
 
 46. Sin full thoughts , and motions in the foule are mofl eafily fup- 
 pre ft at their fir ft rijing P-98. 
 
 47. The infirutlions of one Godly perfon, femetimes, are effecluall 
 ( by the Spirit ) to the implanting of "many into Qhrift P«99« 
 
 48. Perfons ingrafted into Chrifl, do naturally bring forth good 
 fruits p. 100. 
 
 49. There are but a few Godly perfons in the world, in comparifon 
 of the number cf the wicked p.102. 
 
 50. The workj of formall Hypocrites are ( in many things ) very 
 
 like 
 
By Obfervations m Nature,' 
 
 Hks theWorkj of true -drift tans psg. 103. 
 
 5 1. Some Per fons are wrought Upon in part (in fame things) Ukji 
 tethofethat are ingrafted into £hrift y who yet never an aim to be re- 
 ally united to him 1 04. 
 
 5 1 . The meaneft perfon in Chrifl, brings forth bitter fruits, than 
 themoft accomplish* unrt generate perfon in the ft or Id 10 $"» 
 
 5 3 • C^ r *fi ^ con t' tnUA tty ready to communicate ftrength,andrtfiet> 
 Jhings to his people, and all defetls thereof are (rem them/elves 1 06. 
 
 54. By diligent u r e of the meanes of Grace, Qhriftians attaint 
 great advantages, with through negUtt{or flight ufing meanes) would 
 be loft, t 108. 
 
 55. Freqmnt Acts in things Good or Svilljbeget Habits, and 
 W*k? allfuch toorks eafy tout HI. 
 
 5 6. ^Afflictions, and whatsoever befalls the Teople of Qod, the 
 fams works advantage to tfam 113. 
 
 57. God (for themoft part) ttfeth m eanes, and ordinary msn,and 
 mtanesjor iff tiling of the greateft worlds in the world 1 14 
 
 58. The Prayers 9 Sermons, Writings^ Difcourfe t and Warkj of 
 [owe Godly men t ate much more I piritttall than offomt others 1 1 8. 
 
 59. Regenerated per fans have three great enemies^one inward, and 
 two omfta-d^he Tltfhjht fVorld.andthe Devill 1 1 9. 
 
 ^o. The picple cfCfodin their convirfion (for the mo ft pan) got 
 through many ftraits } and d- faculties 121. 
 
 61. Whtn the People of God bring forth gooh [ruitsfiod himfelfe 
 doth praife, and commend them 122. 
 
 62. Terfons by Regeneration, have a great change wrought in them 
 
 123. 
 
 63. The (everall Gifts and Graces in believers, are wrought by 
 the f«me fpirit 1 25. 
 
 64. There are exceeding many, and great profits, and pleafures 
 fouvdin the Church of God 1 26. 
 
 6 s . The Church of God U encompaffed , and prefer ved by God 
 himfttfe 1 29. 
 
 66. When God doth purge a Nation, or place, from perfons, and 
 things that are offenfive to him 'yind brings in his people, and ftorfhip, 
 iK fit ad thereof, this u an evident tikjn that God intends to dwell there 
 
 130. 
 
 67, The free hve, and care of God is as much towards his people 
 
 t t t h 
 
Proportion Shadowed 
 
 in the meaneft outward condition & towards thofe Who are mofi. emi- 
 nent in the world . pig. 13d. 
 68, Believers who daily walk* with God.having the light of his conn* 
 tenance^andconft ant communion with h'wyfuchare abundantly fruit' 
 fill. ■ 138. 
 
 69. God doth not only engraft his people into Chrift, butordtrs 
 them in all other refpetls alfo^to m>'.ke them abundantly fruit full 140. 
 
 70. The graces of believers incred[e daily in firength wherby 
 they are more t and more able to rtfift fptrituall enemies 142. 
 
 71. Aiany perlons of a loW ra^ke^and butof defpifed parts, dog 
 yet bring forth more profitable fruits than many others eminent in 
 gifts and outward re( feels 1 44 
 
 72. God will not alloW an idle perfon^ut expetls every one fhould 
 be profitable in his place 146, 
 
 73 . The life of man is very uncertaine, fame die in Childhoodmhert 
 in youthy others in old age, and in the roome of the [e others arife 148. 
 
 74. According to mens Principles t {uch are their atlings^and their 
 reward according to both 149} 
 
 75* Spiritual! fruit- trees ingrafted into Qhrifl^re many w ate 1 
 profitable in their generations 152, 
 
 76. The meft fpirituall aflings of believers taft of corrupt nature^ 
 which notwithfianding are acceptable unto God 154, 
 
 77. There is a continuall combat e betrteene Grace and Nature^ 
 in every regenerate perfonf>nt grace prevailes 155*. 
 
 7 8. Some believers are( by advantages } more ' fruitfu 11 than others t 
 and at fome more than at other times , '$& 
 
 79* Cod bf. ares With the failings , and imperfetlions of his people, 
 and is ever ready to take notice of, and commend the good that is in 
 them 158. 
 
 80. Trees of the Lords planting bring forth fruits feafonably 1 6 r . 
 
 81. The godly are profitable not only one to another J?ut the wicked 
 alfo fare the better far them 165. 
 
 82. When men are floW in the* duties 'of obedience, Cjod is patient 
 towards thm^&in the ufeof all gooAmeanes Waits for their fruit fulneffe 
 
 164.' 
 
 83. Vnregenerate per (ons(of thtmfelves) cannot come tofbrift, 
 nor bri>ig fsrth one good fruit i66 t 
 
 $4» Some Qhrtfiians cheifly purfue feme particular duties , belong" 
 
 ing 
 
By Obfervations in Nature.' 
 
 ingto them ,andnegletl others pag, 168* 
 
 85- While prions remaine in an unregenerate ftate>atl the meanef 
 
 of grace is unprofitable to ihtm 1 70 . 
 
 86 # C hriftkns by Walking holily> and fruitfully t th?y bring much 
 
 honour to God, but ifotherWife hifbonour 1 7 1 . 
 
 87* The fame things which are blejfings to the Godly % arecurfts 
 
 to the Wicked-foe au(e of their different 'Principles IJZ. 
 
 88» The be ft ofGodsChildrenareguilt'te of many fins, and infirmities 
 
 in their converfations 1 74. 
 
 89. Car nail perfons are as forward 9 and zealous in the waies of Jin, 
 at (ufuallyuhe goalyarein the Wales of holineffe 176. 
 
 90. The Conditions of the people of God are much different, yet 
 God careth for them all 178. 
 
 91. True and faithfull Mlniflers of the Gofpell,do diligently lookje 
 Into theftate of their people, and dealewith them accordingly 1^9 
 
 92* God difcovereth a (peciallcare of> and love unto tkofe of hi& 
 people ,whofe judgment and waies concurre withhk defigze in their ge» 
 Titration 183. 
 
 9 3 . God is a long time in calling the Gent\les',and implanting thim 
 into Chrifl ^according to his purpefe and premifes I 87* 
 
 94. Extemall Uniformity in the Churches of (fbrifl, is of (mall 
 accompt with him,in refpetl of Unity and fpirituall werfhip 191. 
 
 95. God(many times) makes ufe of wicked.and unregenerate per» 
 fons,for the prefer vat ion t and good of his oWne children 1 9j- 
 
 96. God (in his infinite Wifdome.and goodie (fe) obferves the fit '.eft 
 times, in all his difpenfations towards his people ^99, 
 
 97. Jtfm Chrifl gives forth as conflam a fttpply of all grace to 
 the meant ft of his people , as to thoft who a>e mcfl eminent 201. 
 
 98. The peovlt of Cjcd bring glory to hiw, profit, end edification to 
 the body of Chnfl in divers re fpeilsj; according to the diver frty of the 
 Gij Us fir aces y and operations of the fpirit of God in them 2 2. 
 
 99. There is a continuall (ecytt fupply of ftrengthfromChnfi to 
 every believer in time ofdt[ertion t and temptation^ to preferve thim 
 from tot all falling away 205. 
 
 100. True Chrijhans do communicate of their good things, at f*ee+ 
 ly to the pore at to the rich 207. 
 
w 
 
 THE SPIRITUALL USE OF A 
 
 Garden of Fruit-Trees. 
 
 The firil Obfeivatioii in Nature . 
 
 H E Husbandman makes choice of what wild 
 Plants he pleafeth, to bring into his Orchards 
 there to Graft, and order to fruit* bearing from 
 yeare to pare . He leaves other plants in 
 the Woods and wafte grounds^ he lets thtm 
 alone , and meddles not with thtm , but takes 
 and leaves the fe t or thofe , as pleafeth him* 
 felfe. 
 
 This is a Similitude of the State of Spiritual! Fruit- trees , and 
 (hadowes out unto us this Proportion, 
 
 That God from all eternity made choice of what Spiritual/ Proportion 
 slants he pleafed, to plant in his Garden the Church , and refufed Shadowed, 
 ethers • 
 
 God in his eternall decree chofe fome perfons, and refufed o- 
 thers, as his word clearely manifefts: he chofe fome wild plants 
 (here,and there a few)to plant in his Orchard, to order to fruit* 
 bearing, and let others alone to grow wild , and bring forih their 
 natural! fruits, and this upon his own free will and plea fare , with- 
 
 A out 
 
2 The fyirituall ufc of 
 
 out any forefight of faith, repentance good work*, or any thing in 
 us: This the Apodie (hews Epb. 1.4. Hebathchcfen m in him 
 before the foundation of the Worldi Verfj 5- according to the good 
 pleafure of his wilhbdoxz they had done good or evil), Rom. 9. 1 3 . 
 I have loved Jacob, and hated Efatt. and jo. 13.18* J kyoty whim 
 I have chojen . 
 
 And our Saviour tells usjoh. 15. 16./ have chofen you^and ordai- 
 ned jotiyt hat ye Jhould go t and bring forth fruit t and that your fruit 
 fbould remaine • 
 
 The Husbandman lets other Plants alone to grow wild,with- 
 out the wall of his Orchard* Many wicked men , and women in 
 the world which were palled by in his decree, and therefore arc 
 not brought into his Church,nor Ingrafted into Chriit, who fin 
 their generations) bring forth fower,bitter,and poyfonous fruits. 1 
 Rom. 9. 1 8- He hath mercy on dehorn he will have mercy , and whom 
 he Will he hardnetb. That is: He giveth grace to thofe whom he 
 hath chofen, and denies it to others, leaving them to them- 
 felves . 
 1)fi, The Confideration of this fhould be a ftrong and continual! 
 
 Efcy.tfi.j'i motive to all thofe who have made their falling, and E let! ion 
 /Wf being perfwaded upon good grounds that they are Trees 
 of righteoufnelTe of the Lords Planting) to praife and admire 
 the free grace of God, who hath chofen them to be his adopted 
 ch\\dien,ingrafting them into Chrifi^and planting them in his Gar* 
 den,to bring forth pleafant fruits to himfelfe . 
 
 We were all of us wildVlants , as bad by nature as theworft 
 in the world, and God hath made choice of us , and left other s\ 
 How (hould this make us admire his rich, and free grace in 
 Chrift to us,and to fhew forth his praife in our Conversations ? 
 The ^poftle tells us this is the very end wherefore we are Cho- 
 fen: 1 Pet. 2. 9. Yf£ are a chofen Generation, a R oyall Priefthood, 
 an holy nation , a peculiar people, that ye fhould fbew forth the prai- 
 fesofhim who hath called you out of darkyeffe into his marvelous 
 light . 
 
 There was no moving Qaufe why themyftrcall Husbandman 
 ihould make Choice, of us rather than of others, as there is of 
 materiall Plants The Husbandman looks upon their ftraightneffe, 
 and ficnefie in other refpeds (it may be) wherefore k chufeth 
 
 them 
 
a Gdrden of Fruit-trees. 3 
 
 them before others.But the myfticall Husbandman hath all the 
 gr sands and Caufes ef choice witbinhimfelfe, Eph.i,$. according to 
 the good pleafure of his will . _^ 
 
 Let this therefore teach us, and ftirre us up to bring forth all z, Vfe. 
 good fruits unto bim in abundance, who hath fo abounded in 
 love, and mercy towards us, and hath lee out his free grace in 
 chufing of us. And although we cannot recompence the Huf- 
 bandman,or make him the richer by ourfruits,yet we may pleafe 
 him, and honour him thereby. Herein is my Father glorified ^ 
 that ye hare much fmit^foh,! 5.2. 
 
 The fecond Obfervation in Nature. 
 
 ^PHe Husbandman doth order his young fruit-trees "faith . more ten* 
 dernejfe , and gentleneffejhen fitch as are ftrong, and well growne 
 trees } bec 'aufe fuch(^>hile they are fmall, and tender)are in more danger 
 of breaking , and bruftng^and other hurts, then they are afterwards . 
 So that be fides the great Wall , or Common fence about the 
 Orchard t he makes a more fpeciall fence, with Bttfhes, Stakes , or the 
 like, about each of them, and gives them more choice nouri/hment s by 
 often watring them with good -water that they may grow, and come on 
 the f after . 
 
 This is another Similitude* and fhadowes out unto us this Vropot 
 Jition » 
 
 That the difpenfations of God towards weak. Chriftians , are more p r . bo r t ' on 
 gentle, then towards fuch as are groWn ftrong . Shadowed 
 
 The myfticall Husbandman hath Plants of feverall degrees, 
 and ages, in his Nurfery and Orchard, and according to their ca* 
 pacities he dea!ethwi;h therm there are Children, Young men, 
 and Fathers in Gods Family, 1/06.2.12,13,14. the Children are 
 ordered with more tendernejfe, than the elder for t^Edy. 40. 11. He 
 Jhall gather the Lambs in his *Armes, and carry thim in his bofome, 
 and fhall gently lead thofe that are with young . He ufeth thtm gently, 
 with great tender nejfe , So againe, Hof.i 1.1,3. When Jfrael -was a 
 
 A 2 cbtlci 
 
4 The fyirituall ufe of 
 
 child I loved to,Verf. 3 , / taught Ephraim alfo to goe, taking him by 
 the Arms J dreW thtm with cords of a man,with 'Bands of Love , J Was 
 to them as they, that take of the To ke from the fawes, and J I aid meat 
 ttntothemGod fed them ss a loving Father his children, or as 
 a tender 2V#>ffufeih her young infant. He gives them CMilkfi 
 while they a*e Babesia granger meat -when they are better groyne , 
 as we fee iCor.3.2. Ifedyou With Milke, and not with OHeat, for 
 hitherto je were not able to beare «.Heb. 5.14. Strong meat belongeth 
 to them that are of full age . 
 
 So alfo God in correcling his make children^ dealeth with 
 them according to their ftrength, as is made out in that Simili- 
 tudeEhy: 28. 27. of the Husbandroans dealing with his Cor ml 
 The Fetches are not threjhed with a thre/hing infirument , neither is a 
 £art>wheele turned upon the Cummin, but the Fetches are beaten out 
 "With aftaffe,and the Cummin With a red. 
 I. Vfi. This is a ground of great comfort to weake, and doubting 
 
 fou!es,God as a tender Father cherilheth and nourifheth the be# 
 ginnings of grace in them, he will not deale roughly and harfbly, 
 but gently with them; He will not quench the fmoking flax] 
 nor breaks the bruifed Weede\\sut improve, and nounfh weake begin* 
 nings is his children. 8 fay. 42. 3 , even as a T^urfe cherijheth her chil- 
 dren. 1 Thef. 2. 7. that they may increafc towards perfe- 
 ction . 
 2 vfi. Let us Jearne to imitate God in this thing , to help, ander> 
 
 courage thofe that are weake jn all good beginnings.- Rom. 1 5. 1. 
 Such as are ft rcng ,ought to beare With the infirmities of the weake, 
 And to comfort the feeble winded } and to fupport the Weak$,\Th*f 
 5M- 
 
 The third Obfervation in Mature . 
 
 ^There are many -wild Fruit' trees in the Woods, W a fte grounds, and 
 
 hedges, that beare f aire, and beautijull fruits to lecke upon , 
 
 both for bulke and colour, and yet are very harJh,foWer , unpleafant 
 
 fruits j the husbandman tak.es nQ flight to eat of them, although 
 
 they 
 
a Garden of Fruit trees, - 
 
 they are ufefull for fome other purpofes; thtfe are but Veild m grafted 
 trees /tnd their fruits are accordingly . 
 
 This is mother Similitude , and ihadowes forth nmo us, 
 That , 
 
 LMany Spiritual! Fruit- trees bring forth f aire, and fpecious fruits Proportion 
 toobfervation,whichyet are unpleafant to the Husbandman. Shadowed. 
 
 There are very many men in the world, being eminent in 
 Learning, Gifts, and Parts, who can performe many wotkes 
 very exadly, they can Pray, Preach, and compofe Worlds , &e> 
 and thefe things to the Obfervation of moft , very excellently, gai- 
 ning thereby great commendations from many, and (it may be) 
 admiration (torn fome, and yet thefe very Fruits, to the tafie of the 
 Husbandman, are very bitter and unpleafant, though they may be 
 fome way ferviceable, and ufefull to his Children, and fervams , 
 yet he himfelfe, is not delighted with thero,becaufe they are from 
 ttngrafted trees, fuch as are wild and Corrupt by T^ature, the Prin- 
 ciple from which they proceed is Corrupted that makes the fruits 
 corrupt • 
 
 Who did workes to the obfervation of men, more faire and 
 fpecious, then the Tharifes ? and yet thefe their fruits were ftarke 
 naughtrthey wetebut painted fruits,fme toa carnalleye withouc 
 any good taft or reltfh'.Luk* 1 6. i f.Lu.i 1.39* 
 
 Let none content themfelves with outward performances in the 
 worfhip of God, though never (0 faire, and unreproveable to the l <{jr ( i 
 eye of men,but looke to the Trinciples,to the frame of thefpirit, 
 to the fpringfiom which any workes flow, and examine whether 
 they be flreames f;om the 'Divine 2s[ature,ot from common gifts 
 and parts in the foule, whether they be (hoots fpringing from the 
 fpirit of Chrift , as from the Kbote, or from a Natutall Principle, 
 drawneout by iome external I faufes, and felfe ends ; for though 
 they are never fo plaufible and beaurifullin the eyes of men, 
 they may be deformed in the eyes of God, and fruits altogether 
 unpleafant to him . 
 
 Many things that are highly eft t wed among men , are abominati- 
 on in the fight ofGod'.Luk:i6. 1 5. 
 
 This 
 
6 The ffiritudl ufe of 
 
 i . Vff- 5T*hi* may ferve to pull downe the high conceipts which carnal! 
 
 ■ and unregenerate men have of themfelyes, becaufe of their Gifts % 
 and P^r^jtheirgreac and famous agings in the world; did they 
 but fee,and had they hearts to underftand,and confider that bitter , 
 andpoyfonous RootSiOrigwall corruption? which ftaines, and 
 fpoy les ali their Fruits,their high conceipts of themfelves.and their: 
 Ac1ings,would be much abated. 
 
 They are but apples of Sodome,Splendida /wr<*ta,glorious finnes.* 
 for while the Tree is corruptee fruit is fo,Math.7.i8. 
 
 The fourth Obfervation in Nature. 
 
 WE find by Experience That Grafts, and flocks joyned together 
 of contrary, or much different Natures, will not groty % nor 
 thrive together; if they be joyned in Grafting, either the Graft growes 
 not at all y or elfe very poorely ,and weakly % and in afewyeares decayes^ 
 and dies; "But if the kinds of Trees are joyned together according to 
 Rules of 2fdture,and Art x then they thrive together vigoroufly t and 
 bear e fruits plentifullj \ 
 
 This is another Similitude of the ftate of Spirit mil Fruit'trees, 
 and fhidowes out unto us this Proportion , which atfo concurres 
 with the word jand experience . 
 
 Proportion That perfons joined in any relationjthey have comforter affliction tot 
 Shadowed, get her according to their Matures . 
 
 This is certaine,iniV«i*«r*, Morality, and 'Divinity % That fo 
 much as things differ in their Natures one from another , fo great is 
 the degree ofdtflike one of another* ^/(ndfo neere as they are in their 
 Natures, and properties , fo great is the asgree of complacency and 
 love, one of another . Likeneffeisboth the Caufe^andthe Bond cf 
 Love . 
 
 77w/ is feene in all vifible Creatures,many Ioftances might ea- 
 iily be brought to fht w it . Likeneffe in T{atures s Manners, Qut 
 ftomts, begets £«?*; and diita,nce in thefe caufeth diflikf,and 
 
 fometiraes 
 
a Garden of Fruit trees. » 
 
 fometimesHrf/^2Cor.6.i4. What E elhwfhip hath righteoufntffe 
 with unrighteoufnejfefand what Communion hath light faith darknt Jfe 
 &c?wh\ch jpueftions include Pofttions, 
 
 This fliould teach ail who intend to enter into the flate ofj^/j,; 
 UWarriage, to looke well to their choice, that it be upon good 
 grounds, and not for worldly advantages in the firft place, as 
 moil doe.and match a Soule to the Earth, between which there's 
 no Ukeneffe, nor proportion: Neither are they to looke fo much 
 at /^wj^ in the more low, and inferior refpe&s, as T i er[on,age % 
 birth, friends, Riches, &c. (though care is to be had in thefe) as to 
 that great liken 'ejfejn Natures, Manners^ Habits^ and Principles of 
 the Mind, for thefe are the flings, and the tyes of Love , 
 therefore be not unequally yoked together 2 Cor, 6. 14- The fad 
 experience of many thoufands may be a fufficient warning to 
 others . 
 
 if that Zowflowes according to the likeneffe of nature s » then 2 £,y£; 
 let this teach us to ftrive for increa/e of Grace, to have the Image 
 of God more and more renewed , and drawn more lively upon our 
 foules a becaufe the more like we are to God , by having his lmage± 
 in the graces of his Spirit,the more (hall we find the love of God 
 towards us, and the more will our Love be towards God: the 
 ftreameof the love of God will flow more ftrongly into the foule, 
 which will bt Rivers of plea fure unto it;God will then delight in 
 the foule,and the Soule will then delight in GW,and this Communi- 
 on will be heaven upon earth . 
 
 The fifth Obfervation in Nature „ 
 
 THf husbandman is car ef till to Engraft his Trees While they are 
 * young he then formes, andfafhions them by Truning, and ordering 
 of them, for he knowesVehen they are groVven ftrong, and bigge Trees t 
 thefe work.es cannot be done fo eafily, if at all tt be poffible, therefore he 
 fits about them while they an young-trees* 
 
 - This 
 
8 The fyirittfall ufe of 
 
 This is another Similitude of the ftate ofMjfikall Fruit' trees] 
 and hold* forth anto as this Proportion . 
 
 Tropotition That God calls his people (for the moflpart)in Youth, and more 
 Jhadowed. ranl K whn th V are oU * 
 
 It is obferved by Experience , That God workeththat great 
 worke of Repentance, andConveifion of a finner.from darke- 
 ned to light before old age^generallj^ad for themoft part: Moft 
 commonly in youths full firength . 
 
 How feldomehas itbeene feene that an old perfon turnesto 
 God, having ferved Sathan t and his lufts all his youth* and time, 
 till old age. 
 
 God forbid that/fhould limit the boundles, and infinite Mer- 
 cies of £od, but may it not be faid in thisCafe,as of a Rich man, 
 his difficulty of being faved: Matth,i9. 24. It is eafierfor a Cornell 
 togoe through the eye of "4 needle, then for a rich man to enter into the 
 Kingdome of God. 
 
 O how hard is it for an old habituated finner,to turne to God, 
 and forfake his oldreaies^nd cultomes . 
 
 Such are fetled on their Lees, and frozen in their dreggs^and 
 are pall feeiing,their hearts are hardened, and confidences feared 
 with a hot Iron, Cuftome in /?»«<? ,hath deprived them of all fence 
 of finning,*/?^ cannot ceafefromfinne s 2Vet.2.i^.* As foone may the 
 Blackmore change his skinne,or the Leopard his fpots,as oldcujio* 
 mary fmners learne to doe welljer. 13-231 
 
 They being old ungraf ted Trees, growing upon the flock, of cor- 
 rupt 3(ature t ma thoufand to one but they (hall grow there, untill 
 the Azz be hid unto their roots to cut them downe, and 
 they be cad into the fire , not to be confumed , but to burne for 
 ever . 
 
 God gives men warning before hand, and tells them he will 
 not accept of them hereafter, though they knocke at the Gate cf 
 mfercjyM fhall be (hut againft them, if they will not now accept 
 of Mercy. Prov. 1. 24; 25. Tlecaufe 1 have called, and ye re- 
 futed, I have ftretched out my hand, and no man regarded &c; yee 
 Jh all call, but I Will not anjtyer, I will laugh at your calamity , and 
 
 moc^. 
 
a Garden of Fruit-trees, 9 
 
 ntockyvhen jcur fettre cometh &ct The fmner being an hundred j tares 
 eld (hallbe accur(ed, Efay. 65. 20. 
 
 Thiscals to all Spiritual/ young Plants, to labourfby all pof- j yfi t 
 fible meanes) to get this worke of Engrafting into Qhnft, per- 
 formed Tfyw in their youth. Now to be willing to be under the 
 difciplineof the husbandman, who offer*, and dcfiies to forme, 
 and fafhion their tninis,accordmg to the fhape, and Mould of his 
 holy word. Now therefore hearken to his voyce while it is called 
 CO day,/f/? ye be hardened through the deceitfufnejfe of ftnne , Heb. 
 3.i3 f Theworkefascous)ismore eafily done Now in jouth, then 
 it will be hereafter; The Twiggs of the corrupt (lack of finfuli 
 Nature , are yet but (mail, and (lender % tnd will more eafily be UdumftmolLe 
 cut off then when they are grown old t andflrong. The Minde will n u ^^ ,0 e ^' 
 bow,and bend more eafily in youth, to the Rules of the husband* jus &acri Fin* 
 raan.then it will hereafter . gendus fine fi= 
 
 Things are learned in time of youth, witheafe, which in old nerota.Ferf. 
 age are difficult, or impoflible* There is an iropoflibility (in fe#* at, 3' 
 fpe&ofthe Lawesof natuie,of altering the habits (in time of old 
 *ge)eitherofZ?^,flr Mind. 
 
 Its true* With God all things are poflible, but we are to ex* 
 peel the ufuall and ordinary dealings of God', and not to nc g-^lf™ e e c l en e f 
 left the nteeteft feafons,andmeanesfoTtfte6l'mgout greateft work, ^,4611 i 0rm 
 in hope that God will doe it in the wo/? difficult times, becaufe all tefta imHor. 
 things are alkeeafieto him . 
 
 Now becsuff this is a thing of infinite, & everlafting confequence, 
 and of greateft import3nce{of all other things whatfoeverjto us; 
 And that allmay be "ftirred up to feeke afterthis one wctffaty thing , 
 to be engrafted into Chrift, in time of Tout h % I will lay downe a 
 few Conft derations as motives to it. 
 
 i,The greit Lord of Heaven and Earth, that gave us abeing t our j r 0n r.j 
 breath^m time,all that we have,he requires out youth to hirofelfc, t > 
 and commands every one to give their fir ft, 'and their full ftrength 'tj £ Q 9m 
 to him, he would have their Virgin Love, before they be vici« man J 
 ated,and defloured by the Creature, ¥,cc\.i 2. l. Remember novo thy 
 greater in the dates of thy Youth, while the evill d^ies cime not. 
 As under the Law God commanded them to offer in fscrifice 
 Toang Cr eatuyes f r Bullocks i Kammis ,and L ambs of a yeare old, young 
 Pigeons, &c* And the Levins (being his portion^muft be num- 
 
 'B bred ' 
 
io The ffirituall ufc of 
 
 bred from a Month old, and upwards, to fignifietous under the 
 Gofpell, that God requires the beginning of oor ftrength in 
 his kr\ke,CMica 7. 1 . My foule dtfreth the fir ft ripe fruits . 
 
 2 finfidera- 2* If Youth flight God, and refufe to harken to bis call, 
 tion. and command, it is uncertiine whether he will call them af- 
 Uncertainty terwards , 2 Tim,2t2$. If God per adventure Veillgive them Repen- 
 ofGods call,taxcel 
 
 er acceptance He that calls to menjodayifycu mil heare hit voice, bath not 
 afterwards, faid* ro morroVe, or hereafter 1 will call againe : Nay God hath 
 faid the contrary. Prov. 1. 24 . Becaufe 1 have called, and ye re* 
 fujed : I have fit etched out my hand t and no man regarded &c* 
 1 alfowill laugh at your -calamity t and will moc\when your feare 
 ccmsth . 
 
 3 ConfidfDi' 3 •'The longer the worke ofccnv erfton and ingrafting into Chrift 
 faulty an d is delayed, the more difficult the worke will be,itismore eafie 
 bitterneffe , of tn youth jhzn it will be afterwards. While the Ttoiggs and fprouts 
 Repentance °f corruption are but young and Gender, they are more eafily cut 
 if de/ajed or!,bowed downe, or kept under, then they can be when they are 
 
 growne old Jiar d, and firong. Who can bendanoldftrong treethow 
 hard is it to rooteup a tree of many yeares growth, and that in a 
 great and firme Rock ? Such are the fprouts of corruption in the 
 root or rock^tf corrupt »rfWf.Theoftener finnes are repeitedjthe dee- 
 per impreffions they make in the confeience, although fmall in 
 themfelveSjG#«<* cavat lapidem,non vi.jtd-fepe cadendo . 
 
 Dght, and fmall drops ofwater, falling often make an impref- 
 fion,even in a ftone:What then will many great jriml on, andfearht 
 finnes doe? Many youthfull finnes of a high nature, breakjhe bones m 
 repentance • 
 
 4 Con ftd* 4» Though it be not a Jhame to come to God in old age,yet its 
 Shame of a fhame for a man that he came no fooner • Is it not a fhame for 
 coming in a Sonldier to runne from his Commander, and fight againft him 
 fe late. all his youthful! time, while he hath ftrength, and abilities, and to 
 
 eomein old age (when he is lame and decrepite)and offer his fer* 
 vice ? Is it not a fhame for a man to give his (lrength,and marrow 
 to the Devill,and offer the dry bones to God > 
 
 What a fhame is it for a man to begin to learne his Letters,and 
 to fpell at fpeftacle yeares ? To offer the blind 9 the lame, and the 
 fckj* (tcrifictjtoill it be accepted? Mai . 1 • 8. Offer it now unto thy 
 
 CjQvewour, 
 
a Garden of Fruit trees] II 
 
 Governour^ill he be pleafedrvith thee, or accept thy perfon, faith the 
 LordofHofts? 
 
 5 . Sach as heirken unto Gods call early ^and in the fpring of their 5 Confider I 
 jrearesyhwe ufbaliy moft honour from God, and clearer ma nife* /^yey evi* 
 ftationsof his love than others.-fuch who give fyod their fpring d e mes of the 
 raw, their Virgin yeares % they ufually know more of the ffiinde o£i ov e ofGcd, 
 God, and of the Love of god than others. Samuel was called of a l 
 CM/,iSam.3.andgave God his fpring time, and God manifested 
 him felfe evidently to him,he had many and cleare manifejlations of 
 the love of God* 
 
 The Prophet feremy,Ch.i.6.W2iS called and fandified from the - 
 womb.and God revealed clearly hii love to him, and care of him« 
 he became a great Prophet , and intimately acquainted with 
 
 god. 
 
 God wrought upon the fpirit of fofeph , and ingrafted him 3 
 while he was hav&yomgtwigg, when he was but feaventeene yeares 
 cld t he brought forth good fruit, for he could not endure the 
 the ill doings of hisbrethren.but told his father of it,G*». 37.2. 
 And we know what a darling fofephwas, not only to his earthly 
 fathef,but alfo to his heavenly father, who honoured him more 
 then all his brethren, and revealed many great fecrets unto him. 
 He had not only t*fts t and draughts of the love of God- but 
 rather flreames and rivers of it Bowed in upon him all his life 
 time. 
 
 Obadiahp man recorded in Scripture for one fearing God, and 
 that from his jouthjvzwte a choice, and lingular man in his daies, ** 
 
 he feared the Lord greatly, 1 King. 1 8. 12. And the love of God 
 towards him was feeoe in his love to God and his people in a 
 time of g eat danger. in preferving, and feeding of thermfor none 
 can (hew forth cleare evidences oftht love ofGod t but thofe who arc 
 greatly belov'd of god. 
 
 The Trophet Daniel was a Young man, when he began to feare - 
 
 God /Dan. 1. and God (hewed him manifold cleare evidences of his 
 love: God gave him knowledge and skill in all Learnings and mf* 
 dome, and in allviftons t and dreames^vsrf.ij.He had cleare reveala- 
 tionsofthe love of God in his Prayers, and Praife s to God, iro* 
 mediately by his fpirit,and mediately by an Angcll, who was-fenc 
 
 B 2 to 
 
12 The fphituairufe of 
 
 to tell him that his prayers were heard, and that be was a man 
 greatly beloved . 
 
 6 The hoiy Trophet Da vid, of a jrurgTwigwas ingrafted into 
 £hrift:zna he made^od his ttuftfrom hhyouth, Pf. 71.5, Be* 
 ing caught of <Jo6 (rem his ycuth, verf 17. and thereby made a 
 man ajter goas own heart'* And whoever had fweeter communion 
 with God(md con feqnzmly clearer evidences of his Love) then he 
 CXpreiTeth in his Pfalmes . 
 
 7 How 'great a Prophet was I ohn the Baptifi y who was filled with 
 the Holy Ghoft, and fanftified from the Womb, a greater Prophet 
 was never borne than he,£»^.i 4 i5. 
 
 8 John the beloved Difciple, began to follow Chrift Sarlj in hU 
 
 yoiitb)*nd Chnft revealed fecrets to him more immediately than 
 
 to the red of the Difciples . He leaned on his bre*(t,and lay in his 
 
 bof$me,\\z attained to a full affurance of theloveofGodiwhkhis 
 
 the Confederation I here hold forth ) k is frequent in his Epiftles^ 
 
 iJoh.4.ijj'i4. We know we are of God, We k»°^> we *** i* him, we kntito Vre are 
 
 & 5, 1 9, *q. tranflatedfrcm death to life^c.We know, we \nowfflt Jtnow $ many 
 
 ijoh.j. 14,14. fuch pafiagesof affurance he mentions . 
 
 If Chnftians defire to enter into Heaven, while they arc on 
 earth , this is the way, even to get into Chrift early, as fooneas 
 may be. 
 
 So we fee fach as aie Ingrafted intoChrift, while thty are young, 
 the love of God is more clearely ^and evidently dif covered to them, and 
 fecrets from God, are revealed 10 them (ufually) m>.re than to *• 
 thers . 
 6 And laftly:Su cb as are /ngrafted into Chrift ea*ly Jn the fpring 
 
 Conjiderat- of their ye ares, Such commonly ttt&'we large growths, and meafures 
 Greater mea- of grace, \f they live !ong,and enjoy raeanes, and helps fuitable: A. 
 fures of grace fmail meafore of grace, though hot as much as a graine ofCMa* 
 and glory, ftardfeedejfz man begin with it betime,aod hasband it well , ac- 
 cording to the CounfcSl, and wifdome of the fpirit, will improve, 
 and grow in many yeares t to a large meafure^thsir Brook willbtcome 
 a River ^anh. their River will become a Sea . 
 
 Every Atl of grace adds fomething to rhe^jf,fo that theta- 
 bits of grace are mightily confirmed by their frequent operations. 
 Such when they come to be eld Difclple strongmen in Chrifi, 
 fathers, they have ftrottg confutation, f ull affurance. Their graces 
 
 increafe 
 
4 Garden of Fruit- trees. 1 3 
 
 increafe from ftrength to flrength,from glorj to glory J?y thefpirit of 
 the Lord.zCor^.iS . 
 
 And the more their ^ffliUions abound,tbe more are their gra- 
 ces encreafed .being improved by the fpirit of God:and confequent. 
 Jy the greater glory is laid up for them in the life to come, 2 Qor. 
 4. 1 7 • 
 
 Now let it be eonficVed . What infinite advantages arife to a 
 Chriftian by Early beginnings , and fetting forward in the 
 waies of God betime ; the Priviltdges are exceeding great , and 
 many. 
 
 , Thefe things may be great Encouragements to all young Vlants 
 to labour for them . 
 
 The (ixt Obfervation in Nature. 
 
 WE know at the endofSommer(the funnes influences being with' 
 drawne in a great meafure) Fruit' trees cea\e groWngi 
 their fruits s an£Leaves fall off and decay, & during the time of Winter} 
 arefhaken with winds , pinched with Frofts,and cold weather , & feemg 
 (jto thofe that cannot Well judg of them) to be even as dead, which 
 yet when the fpring of the yeare comes, the fpirit, and fap ( that is 
 naturally exiting in them all winter) is refrefhed againe by the heat 
 of the funne that then approaches: the branches againe begin to bud, 
 andbynew (upplies from the Roote grow forth, and bare ftore of whol- 
 fome fruits . 
 
 This is another Similitude, and fliadowes out unto us this 
 Vropojition . (Which alfo concurres with the word, and experi- 
 ence. ) Thac 
 
 When the (pirit of god withdraws, then my flicall fruit-trees ceafe p r0 p f tt i m 
 growings their leaves, and Fruits fall, and they indure (ore conflttts (fafawA 
 for a time, but at the retnrneofthe fpirit, thej are reflored to former 
 comforts , with advantage . 
 
 B 3 As 
 
' i 4 The ffirhttall ufc of 
 
 As thef#» \%tht efficient c*»feot\\fei and growth in naturall 
 fruit trees, and all Vegetables, fo is ihefpiritofGod the efficient 
 cattfe of motion, and growth in all fpiritmll fruit*trees\ while the 
 fpiric is fenHbly prefent, and works in the foule, there is motion & 
 growth, b#dding y blojfoming, and bearing fruits : Due when the fpi* 
 rtt withholds, and withdrawes, when this funne goes afar off, 
 (as to his fenfible workings ,and erTeds)and hides hisface,then the 
 ■fruit»trees are at a ftand,and have no power in themfelves to grow, 
 orbearefruits.TheLordisaS#»untohis people, P/". 84.11. and the 
 face of this fun is fometimes clouded, and bid from them, and is as 
 if he were afar off,!?/*. 5 4.7. Fer a (mall moment have I hid my facei 
 
 The Church complaines in the time of this fpirituall winter, 
 Cant. 5 . 6"# Mj beloved had withdrarvne himfelfe and was gone » 
 When this Sun is afar off,and clouded,then folio wes a dark, and 
 gloomy time : Lam, 3.1.2 am the man that have feen affiiHion by 
 the rccL of his Wrath: he hath led me t and brought me into darknpjfe, 
 and not into light. Jremembred God, and was troubled^ complained^ 
 and my [pint Was overwhelmed } Pf^2S. 16. Thy fierce wrath go* 
 eth over me >thy urrors have cut me off. Pf. 38.8. The Church in 
 this longhand fharp winter (the fun being a far off) complainettt 
 .bitterly, and is almoft in difpaire,*?/*/. 49.1 4.' 
 
 This is a woful! (rate, the greateft of all mifenes on this fide 
 Belly even the want of the light of Gods countenance to him 
 that bath fenfibly enjoyed it a long time together, andinftead 
 thereof to have the terrors of God fight againfi him, and make im» 
 mediate imprefiions upon the foule; yet fo it is with fome -of the 
 fervants of God for a time-. 
 
 fotmw Evidences are then of no more ftrength,than the ftrengrh 
 of meat and drink, is to the body, after a long time of fa/ling y when 
 the body hath beenefhutupin prifon,and almoft ftarv'd for want 
 offoode. 
 
 Its true indeed; former Evidences might fomething uphold in 
 the fenfe of prefent diftrelTe,if the foule were fure they were un* 
 doubtedly trueand foundfiecaulevae know true grace once received" 
 cannot be lofhbut there lies the doubt, and the ground offeare, 
 and diftruft, he calls all former Evidences into queftion, and 
 perhaps(at fome times)concludes againft himfelfe, that all are no# 
 thing,becaufe of prefent feelings of the contrary . 
 
 J 
 
a Garden ofFruit-treer, I j 
 
 I know a man who (about Ten y eares sgoe) was caft under this 
 Temptation ,and had Experience of this woefull fhte, and con- 
 ditionihe lay in it for the fpace of Seventeene or Sighteene OHonths, 
 or thereabouts ♦ , 
 
 Having early, in his youth (even the firfthoureof the day ). 
 paffed through the pangs of the new birth, andfpirit of bondage ,& 
 afterwards enabled to lay holdonChrift by faith,and by degrees, 
 got up to a comfortable well grounded confidence of the love of 
 God in Chrift, wherein he walked chearefully many yeares to- 
 gether,yet aftcrwardsfeven about the middle of the day .according 
 to the Prophets computation Pfalm.90 # io.)the Sun was clouded, 
 and the fpirit, and fap fufpended, fo that(by degrees,) he loft noc 
 only thefenje of the light of Gods countenance towards him, and "the 
 fight of the graces of his fpirit t ,buc queftioned all his former Evidences 
 of his interest in Chrift,and (efpecially atfome times)even gave 
 all for loft. 
 
 Andnotwithftandingthedayly ufeof all fpirituall meanes, he 
 dill fell lower and lower, more and more feares and terrors in* 
 creafed in him, which were made more fharpe and heavy, by many 
 outward affliclions, great crojfes, and dit appointments at the fame 
 time, which befell him in reference to his body, name, outward 
 efiate,Calling y friends t and relations, every oneof which was a fote 
 arTli&ion/wgle and of it felfejnotwithftanding all came upon him 
 in a ihort fpace,and that not long after great(and more then ordi- 
 nal y)(pirituall comforts, & evidences of the love of God in £hrifti 
 whictfthough they might have beene fome ground to have upheld 
 the foule from finking fo low,yet by degrees, were all weake and of 
 no power to uphold, amidft fuch a throng, and prefent fenfe of 
 heavy, and tailing Temptations as were upon both his inVcard, 
 and outward manshift by reafon thereof the immediate fucceeding 
 defertkn was the more fenfib/e^nd took the deeper im predion ; A& 
 a man that falls fuddenly from a high and eminent Condition of 
 outward comforts, into great mifery, and want, the fenfe of hi* 
 prefent mifery,# thereforeihe more preffing . 
 
 In this fad and darhe time , he laboured (by Grayer, Faflhg t 
 help of freindsy&nd all waies of humbling himfelfejto get comfort, 
 andfupport, but (till it was hid from him, be was (by degrees/ 
 caft downe very low, and brought even to defpair, in.fomuch 
 
 that 
 
1 6 The fpirituall ufe of 
 
 that at fome times, through the violence of Temptations, and ap* 
 prehenfions of the abfence.and loffe of God,he cryed our,&roared 
 as a man in torment of body,tuat had had forae,difeafe,or burning 
 in hi? Bowels .- At fome times when he heard ihe Word preached^ 
 fuch terrors feafed upon him, that he hid no reft, neither in body 
 nor mind ; he could neither fit ftill,nor ftand ftill, nor reft in any 
 pofture,fearefull inj % clions thronged in upon him, and fuch woe- 
 full apprehenfions of an undone Condition,were,at thofefeafons 
 efpecial!y,reprefented to the mind , that he was notable to 
 exprefle the horror of them. 
 
 And after a certaine time of the abfence of the Spirit ,in the fee- 
 ling working? of it, and fence of the graces; Corruptions, at fome- 
 times more efpecially,grew ftrong t Paffions and murmuring* againil 
 the righteous proceedings of God with him( znd Corruptions alfo 
 of other Natures) brake forth from time to[ time, which were t a 
 fling to all other Miferies that befell him, and which were, being 
 iraproved,and ftrongly fet on by Satban againft him.grounds and 
 foundations of the moft fear fo J I apprehenfions rhatcame into 
 *Such asthefe, ^js m inde . The enemy pleading it againft him, and that from 
 fahm'faJ*" many grounds of 'Scripture mifapplyed, that no child of God did 
 tbefewbo mre* ever ^ ' nto tne "ke, ana< labouring to perfwade him that no one 
 me [eniigbmd, guilty of the like ftiould poflibly ever recover, out of fuch a 
 
 e^c.znd z Pet. z. ft a fe . 
 
 imffewtib* * T *" s Was 4 lon & * n * te ^ om fr'Ww.in which feldome any funnel 
 tim'tbenllebe- or ft arri 'Ppeared to him, and then but dimly,and foone clouded 
 ginning. againe.-tbe foule was, for the moft part, filled with ftormes, 
 
 and tempefts.fad apprehenfions of many prefent evils , and feares 
 of more, and greater to come upon him: The particular pafligcs 
 of which Cenditiou,m\ght be relatedjat large, were it convenient. 
 But the Lord hath faid , he Will not contend for ever , neither 
 will he be alwaies wrath Jefi thefpiritfaiie before him\He corrttleth in 
 meafvre. At length the fun of right eoufmffe began to arife With 
 healing in his Wings, and to caft fome beames of light into his 
 darke foole.which increafed more and more unto the perfect day. 
 As he fell by degrees, fo by little and little, after a time, in 
 theufeofmeanes, he was raifed up againe , and reftored to 
 former comforts, with great and many additions and advan- 
 tages . 
 
 The 
 
d Garden of Fruit-trees . ty 
 
 The Lord put a neW fong into his Momh t even praifes and 
 thanksgivings nnto hisGod', Let the father of mercies and the God of 
 all Comforts be for ever praifed, for he comforteth thofe that are c aft 
 doWne^Whtn they cry unto him in their troubles, he deiivereth them out 
 cf their difire ffe,he bringeth thtmom of darknejfe, and out ofthejhad* 
 dow of death, and breadth their bonds afundtr. 
 
 that men would therefore praife the Lord for his goodne^e, and 
 declare the bonders that he doth for the Children of men . 
 
 Now therefore: Seeing that* Winter ofdeferiion may come; Let ?J f ■■ 
 us wifely prepare againft it t by giving all diligence to make our * e * 
 Calling and Eleclionfure^iPet. 1. 10. To lay up Treasures in hea- 
 ven . Now in the time of plenty, to (lore up againft a time of 
 of famine, to gather now in Summer SLgAiuR a fpending time in 
 Winter \ Now to gather Evidences , and Jure grounds of the un~ 
 changeable love of (}od towards ut> to make fureofour inter efl in 
 £hrifl „t\\%l fo we may be able to fight ,and conquer , and tofiand in 
 the evill day, and having done aH tofland, EphjS* 1 3 . 
 This alio may comfort all thofe that are in this cafe, who find iVfel 
 that the Same is withdrawne , and gone a far off: Let them (in 
 the ufe of all good meanes) wait and tarry the Lords leafstre , he 
 will certainly come in his time, Efay.%0.10. whofo walkethin 
 darknejfe and hath no I ightylet him trufi in the name of the Lord* and 
 fay himfelfe upon hit Cjodjor the Sunne will againcfhine/orfA and 
 jefrefli fuch a foule,and though comfort and deliverance tarry,^* 
 Wait for it, it will fttrely come-, it will not tarry ,Hab.2.3. 
 
 The word, and promifes , and the Experiences of performance 
 to others, are fure grounds of hope; .E/^54.7. for a [mall moment 
 have I forfaken thee, but with great mercies will I gather thee, in a lit' 
 tie Wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment, but With ever* 
 lafiing kindnefte will I have mercy on thee, faith the Lord thy 
 Redeemer . 
 
 The time is at hand when it (hall be fa id to thefe weather bea* 
 ten fruit-trees, the winter is paft y the raine u over, and gone, the Fig- 
 tree putteth forth her gretne figgs>the Vines with the tender Grape, give 
 agoodfmell,C*nt.2* 11,13. 
 
 Then (hall they Bud t and blo$ome t ixi& bring forth abundance of 
 Fruits pleafanc to the husbandman , «4nd (hall fay unto him, 
 
 C Let 
 
1 8 The [pritnall nfo of 
 
 Let my beloved come into his Garden^ and eat hi j phafant fruits] 
 Canr # 4- 1 5. 
 
 Theyftiall dayly bring forth the fruits of Praife^ove^ndobef 
 dience which he will like,and accept of ♦ 
 
 F 
 
 The feventh Obfervation in Nature . 
 
 Rait- trees that bring forth thefairefi and mo ft beautifull bhf* 
 .*. fames, Leaves, and Jhootes , they (ufually) bring forth the ft^e ft % 
 and haft fruit s\ becaufe Vvhere Nature is intent, and vigor oufly pre ft 
 fingto doe one works {(pending its ftrength there) it if at the fame 
 time, wtakjbout other workes'.but di flint! ,and fever all worlds o/2Yjj- 
 turejn moderate and remise degrees t are all promoted at the fame 
 time . 
 
 This is another Similitude, Sccwhemz we learne^that, 
 
 p p • Generally thofe per Jons Who are exctfftve , and mo ft curU 
 
 (UA A* Gtts a ^ om the formes of duties, have haft of the power of god* 
 
 Jhadewed. 
 
 linejfe i 
 
 There are feme who [wanting fincerity)lay out their thoughts, 
 and endeavours about the out fide of duties ,they will be as forward, 
 it may be,as any,about thef#m , #<*///\f»>'r.rofworfr)ip, who have 
 nothing of the truth of Grace in thenuMuch formality , little, or no 
 fincerity, 
 
 Ihe'Pharifes were exceflively carefull about the omfideofGods 
 VcorfhipX LMat.6.2.$-i6. In Preaching, Praying , ftfting, giving 
 %s4lmes &c.i\\e\x care was mainly to make cleancthe out fide , to 
 carry things fairly to the world, that they might have the praife of 
 menibroad Thy latteries, long Prayers, exatlnefe in tithirgMynt, 
 Annis,& Cummin t Striclnejfe in obferving the Sabbath,a»d outward 
 Ceremonies, but where was fincerity all this while? they had the 
 forme, but wanted the potyer of goalmejfe. Thefe were but Leaves, 
 buds, or hie(fowes,bM no Fruits, they were not profitable to them, 
 
 as 
 
a Gar den of "Fruit-tree ■/• 1 9 
 
 as to Eternal! advantages. Mat, 5. 20. Except ymr rigkteoufnejfe " 
 exceed the righteoufnejfe of the Scribe s% and Pbarifesje /ball in no 
 cafe enter into the kjngdome of heaven. 
 
 So it was among us of lace yeare$;bowing at the Name of Iefus, 
 and Communion Table, Surplefe, Common •'Prayer &cl thefe and 
 fach like were prefTed with all eagernefle, and ftridneiTe. 
 
 The body of Religion was large, and monftrous,but without a 
 feule t or if any, it was Leane and feeble I 
 
 Thefe kind of perfons are like the Indian Fig-tree thitVliny 
 fpeakes of, which had Leaves as broad as Targets, but fruits 
 00 bigger then a Beans . 
 
 Let every one take heed of this, and cot fufter their fpirits, and j yf e i 
 endeavours to runne out, andjrc (pent, about things of lejfer mo- 
 mentjnd negledhhe greater . 
 
 This is a foule faulc among us at this day, fomemen ftand 
 more about the formes of worfhip,than about the power of it; they 
 lookefo much after the way, manner , and circumfiances, that 
 they almoft loofe the fubfiance 5 things which are but as bust's, 
 crjhels to the Kernels ,or as Leaves \x\ refpedt of fruits. 
 
 Some others labour more for Gifts Jthtn fox. graces x for humane 
 Learning ,rhan for holinejfe: All thefe are guilty of the fame folly, 
 asthofe who take more care about the J&ape, and fa/bion of the 
 Garmentjhin the health, and foundnejfe of the body: Or (toufe 
 the Metaphor in hand) they bring forth Leaves, mftead of fruits t 
 andfo ate unprofitable trees ,\y able to Gods difpleafure, and cut- 
 ting downe every moment:andalfo to be accompted (by decer- 
 ning Spirits) to be fuch as have littlefit nothing f The power of 
 godlineffe. 
 
 The Eighth Obfervation in Nature. 
 
 T"*H* Fruits of trees dif cover plainly of what ' kind the Trees are \ 
 the Leaves and bloffomes(e(pecially offome kinds) may deceive us 9 
 but the fruits cannot deceive us , but dijeover manifefily ofVpbat 2^j»- 
 ture the trees are * 
 
 C 2 From 
 
20 The f fir it mil #fe of 
 
 From this Obfervation we leaf ne; That 
 
 Vropofition By the Fruits of 'Spiritual Trees , Vpi may conclude the 2(aturi 
 Jhadowed. of the Trees, 
 
 The waies, and Conversions of men difcover what their Na* 
 tares are.- If men of difcerning Judgments will but exactly ob- 
 ierve,and try the Atlions of others,they may(by degreeyjcondude 
 from what Principles they aft . 
 
 Its true indeede: from the lABions and waies of fome perfons, 
 a man cannot eafily conclude thif ; -vices in {cms are clothed in the 
 habits cfVerwes s howfoever of fome others this is more cleare, 
 The works of grace in the hearts of fome is fo cleare, and apparent 
 in their lives,and Converfations^that if men will but judge accoc- 
 d'wg to Scripture rules, the woike will bemanifcfbSoon theoa 
 ther fide concerning profane, and fcandalous perfons , a man may 
 without breach of charity conclude fuch perfons to be(at prefent) 
 in the gall ofbitterneffe,and bond of iniquity . 
 
 And though Formal/ Profeffors may for a time deceive us, by 
 their Leaves, and blofoms of good words i/hewes^TroffJfions , Former^ 
 and outward Ob(ervations{Wolves may have on Sheep s clothing J Yet 
 ffwe tafi t and obferve their fruits ,after a time we (hall know them, 
 Mat.j.i6.by their fruitsyefh all know them>So againe,L«.6.44.^^y 
 tree isi knowne by his own fruit • 
 
 1 Z/fe* ^ ms fl 10 "^ Ceacn ever y one t0 tr y their owne fruits, by the 
 
 word of God-Sot thereby will be comfort to them that feare God: 
 they may have continuall grounds of rejoycing when they 
 obferve their fruits to be good, to be fuch as the husbandman cats 
 for,and approves of; they may thence conclode that they are 
 Trees of the Lords planting, Engrafted Trees, and this is a ground 
 of joy indeed, to know our name s are Written in heaven* And 
 here alfo will be grounds of conviction to unfound Chriftians; 
 for by a certaine Knowledge oftheFr»/>j, they may have a cer- 
 taine knowledge of the Trets, And tberefore,let fuch (feeing, and 
 confidering their bad fruits Jtgive themfelvcs no reft, untill they 
 find the nature of their fruits changed , whereby they may con* 
 -clude,that the nature of the tree is alfo changed . 
 
 2 V{e. The thorougb,and ferious confideration of this Tropofition, may 
 
 be 
 
a Garden of Fruit-trees, it 
 
 be a fpeciall meanes to fopport, and farisfie the fpirits of Gods 
 people who are in a doubting condition, and queftion the truth 
 of their graces-Jor let fuchconfider , that hereby they may re- 
 ceive the beft fatisfaclion that believers can pofiibly receive , 
 (next unto the immediate teftimony of the fpirit of God)to look 
 upon,and try their/wi;; by the wordjfor fruits are infallible evi* 
 deuce of the nature of the Tree that brings them forth. Therefore 
 ©bfervej*/ theft , and fuch like fruits are brought forth,the Tree is Cer- 
 tainly good., an ingrafted tree. If there be fervent de fires , fan* 
 tings, and breathings of the foule after Ged,dt light in the word, and 
 ordinances, Love to God, and his people, fecret goings out of the foule 
 after, and clofing with (phitttallthings ,diflikj,ng and hating corruptions, 
 and Whatfoever is again fi the mind of God , and oppofing of it, With a 
 riftng of fpirit again fi it, "Wit h z,eale,andindignation- 3 if there be a feont 
 joy, and cheerefullneffe in the fpirit When things goe well with the 
 people of God, when holinejfe, and the power ofgodlinejfeis like to be 
 fet up jromoted^and encouraged, and fin fuppreffed'.if the fpirit beftir* 
 red to pray againfi the dominion, and power of wicked and unregene- 
 rate men, not onely fuch as are prephane, but alfo fuch as are but 
 morally hone fi, yea though they be accomplijht with the utmofi cfnatU0 
 rail and moral I endowment s,prifing and preferring fines r by and holi- 
 neffe in any perfon,before all gifts Without grace* 
 
 Thcfe fruits(l fay)are realland infallible evidences of a good tree', 
 of a Tree ingrafted into Chrift, and tha: foule that finds them 
 in it felfe,(if the fpirit of God fhine upon them , and fliew them) 
 may as certainly conclude upon the truth of grace there, as if an 
 Angell were fenc from Cod to tell fuch a one,that he is beloved of 
 God. 
 
 It is as poflible in nature,for Thornes to bring forth Grapes >,or 
 Tbiftles,Figgs,zs for a Bad tree (a perfon out of Chrifl) to bring 
 forth thefe fruits. Let not fuch foules (therefore) fo diftionour 
 God, wrong themfelves, and gratifie Sathan, astoqueftion the 
 truth of grace in themfelvesj but rejoyce evetmore.becaufe their 
 names are Written in heaven. Hereby We know we are tran fluted from 
 death to life,becaufe eftheje fruits, i J oh , 3 , 1 4. 
 
 C i The 
 
2 % The ffirituall ttfe of 
 
 Proportion 
 
 The Ninth Obfervation in Nature. 
 
 'THi? branches of fruitttrees if 'cutoff \andfluckjn the ground, they 
 will (in the fpring) bud and bloffome, and be as forward as the 
 boughes that groW upon the flock.,or root,and will heme togroW , but 
 when the fun draVvesneere, and the Weather groW.es hot t the\e boughes 
 begin to decay \ t and wither , they cannot indure heat , they within a 
 white fleW that they wanf a roote . 
 
 This is another Similitude of the (late offpirituallfruit'trees t *nd 
 (hadowes out unto us this Proportion . 
 
 That femeperfons flouri/hwithaprofejfion for a time 4 but in the 
 heat ofafflttlion thej fall off. 
 
 Many Chriftians will flourish with a profejfion in the time of 
 prosperity ,when many /bowers o\bleffings y and outward comforts 
 fall on them;but when the hotlumte of troubles^, and afftitlions be* 
 gins to fcorch,and the deWe s and raine of temporall tilejjings are 
 taken away and withheld, then they (hew themfelves to be but 
 as Boughes ftuckjn the ground, and without roots, which bud and 
 bloffomejout can bring forth no fruit . 
 
 Tbefe are they fpoken of in the Yarable. Luk,- 8. 13. The feeds 
 that falls upon the Rer^.fprings up as well, it may be, as that on 
 the good grwnd,bnt when the fun groweshot, it fcorcheth it,and 
 it Withers, Mat. 13. 21. Be hath noroote inhimfelfejbut enduf eth for a> 
 while ,andin time of perfecution he is offended. 
 
 Such the Apoflle fpeakes of ijoh. 2. 19. They went out from w, 
 becaufe thfj Were not of us &c. 
 r „ + This (hewes us the end of Hypocrites Jermall profejfors, who 
 
 * e * have no root in Chrift : fuch as are not really ingrafted into 
 
 Chrift.they will certainly fall away at laft, none can perfevere, 
 but by being in Chriftjob. 27.10.^// he, the Hypocrite, alwaies 
 call upon God . Every plant which my heavenly father hath not plan' 
 ted /ball be rooted up. lMat,i 5 . 1 3 • 
 
 This 
 
a Garden of Fruit-trees^ 23 
 
 This being fo,it fhould make every orji give all diligence to be 2 Ufel 
 fully afiured, whether they be but as Bougies ftucl^ in the ground 
 without roots, or branches of the true Vine, Joh.15.5. Such as are 
 really ingrafted into the trueVinejhz hotteft fun of perfection can 
 never hurt them,the gates of Hell (hall not prevaile againft them. 
 Such (hall be as a Tree planted by the water s x that fpreadeth out her 
 roots by the river , and {hull not fee when heat commeth, but her leafe 
 flail be greene.andjhall not be carefullin thejeare of drought, neither 
 fl, ill ceafefromyeelaing fruit J0M7.8. 
 
 The Tenth Obfervation in Nature. 
 
 WBe feek. for the beft kinds of fruits to engraft in our Or* 
 chards,we are carefully and diligent with much labour , coft* 
 and timejoobtaine the mofiTufefull^andmofi profitable fruits ; though 
 we take fome paines for or dinay kinds jet we especially de fire the befi 
 
 fruits • \" . 
 
 From this Objervation we are taught : That 
 
 We fhouldbsnd all our de fires t and endeavours , that the befi gifts ,grat Vropofition 
 ces, ana fruits, may, tfpeciaUy increafe ♦ fhadowed. 
 
 The ^p^ftle faies, 1 CV.i 2. There are diver fities of gifts wrought by 
 tht famefpirit&W of them defirable and profitable, but fonieare 
 wore profitable than others , which he e&horts us to look 
 after , and defire efpecially,V&ci. 31. fivet earneftly the befi 
 Gifts. 
 
 There is a prccellency,and greater worth in fome Fruits than in 
 fome others, 1 Cor. 13./ Wi// fhevcjoua wore excellent way* And 
 Phil. 1. 10. That ye way approve things that are excellent 
 or (as fome read it) things that differ . V allow after charitj x and 
 defire fpirituall gift s y but rather that ys may prophecy, iCor. 14.1. 
 And verf. 12. For as much at ye are zealous oj fpirituall gifts, 
 feek that ye may excell to the edifying of the Church . He preferres 
 one grace before another; t^nd now abideth faith thope^ and love, 
 
 thefe 
 
1 4 The fpirituall ufeof 
 
 theft three; but the greateft of thefe is love. I Cor. 13.15. 
 
 This reproves thofe who concent themfefves with the hrceft, 
 
 1 Vfe* and meant ft gifts , graces unci fruits, and drive not after the befl, 
 
 and cbiefeft . Many having gotten fome competent abilities, they 
 
 goeonin aformallway, running in around, or Circle, making 
 
 litrle.or no progreflion at all, no increafe,or growth. Yea,(ome- 
 
 timesfor want oiexercife, and improvement of their Gifts, they 
 
 loofe what they had, and become very T>rones,and *Dum 
 
 ess . 
 
 T,'r We fhouldconiider, and examine which are the heft gifts, 
 
 ■-'■-'* graces,and fpirituall fruits, that fo we may apply our felves to 
 
 gaine, and increafe them especially. 
 
 Fir ft then: Such are befits are mop ufefull and profitable to our 
 (elves and others . 
 
 Profit and edification, is the great end, why the fpirit of God 
 gives gifts, 1 for, 12. 7 . The Apoftle valued thofe giftsmoft, 
 which were moft for Edification. 1 Cor. 1 4. 1 9 . / had rather fpeaty 
 five Words withmy under ft anding^that by my voice 1 might teach others, 
 than 1 cooo Words in an unknowne Tongue. Knowledge {Tongues \hu~ 
 mane Learning and Parts,&te little worth, unlefle they be ufed to 
 edification. What then (hall we thinke of thofe men who ufe them 
 for cftent at ion, and to giine admiration ? 
 
 Secondiy.If we find any gift, grace,or fpirituall fruit commen- 
 ded to us in fpeciall and particular in the word, filch hath the 
 higheft commendation that poflible can be , as the gift of Pro- 
 phefie above other £*/<;, iCor. 14.1. De fire fpirituall gifts, but 
 7V d A t r*ther that ye may propkefie. Which is a gift to be able publiquely 
 • Anmt ' to expound the word of God,and to apply it to the edification ofi 
 the Church • 
 
 And o?Graces,Loveis the chiefeft,iCor.ll.l*2%ow abideth Faith, 
 Hope, and Love , thefe three, but the greateft of thefe is Love. 
 And iPet.4 % 8. Above all things have fervent love amongyour felves 
 So for Meekneffe of Spiritfiod himfelfe commends it to us in par- 
 ticular,for amoft fpeciall fruit, iPet.3. 4. The ornament of amset^ 
 *nd quiet fpirit, is a thing with God of a great price . 
 
 Thirdly: 
 
a Garden of Fruit- trees. a $ 
 
 Thirdly : thofe graces wherein wee moft refemble God the fa* 
 ther,and Chrift,fuch are raoft excellences Love,Mercj, Humilitjx 
 we are caid upon (as might be fhew'd at large) to imitate the fa' 
 ther.and the forme, in thefe things e[pecially;WVhit is more ffweet 
 and amiable in the Conventions of men, than hove , Mercy , 
 HumMtjnheie are graces, and fruits ofhigheft efteeme both with 
 God, and men. 
 
 Such as hold forth Troths in pablique, fliould bring forth the 
 be]} Fruits: in expounding, and applying the word, they ought to 
 lay open thofe truths that are moft juitable to Perfons, times and 
 eccafions, and decline other things of lefer moment: and. (in parti* 
 cularfubjeds) to bring forth thofe things that doe moft natu- 
 rally arile from the word, according to the genuinrfenfe of it, 
 without draining, or wrefting, (there being fuch infinite variety 
 of matrer)that it may be as the firft, and purefl Liquor of Grapes, 
 (or as liUbony) that runnes without ftrayning, which is (by far) 
 the ^y? • 
 
 Men fliould (land moft upon the Ejfentialls of Religion, and 
 Chriftianity:Hlwf0jr«<i» intereft in Chrift , and then how to iw 
 ■prove ir.to groft in gracejo (ubdue Corruptions;htito f»e may get» and 
 maintaine a conftantjhab'ituall Communion with God . 
 
 And for our Medications, Speeches and Aclions we muft ftill 
 looke at the be ft, if there lye many, and various duties before us, 
 and all cannot pofllbly be donne , we ought to fet our felves to 
 confider, 3nd find out which are moft convenient jnoft uecejfary, 
 moft profitable t and beft, And accordingly apply our felves thereto: 
 and not to goe (hand over head) to any of them, upon this 
 ground, for that it is a good workejtis our duty, for fo perhaps 
 we fhall neglecl a more excellent, and more profitable worke, and 
 miffe of the be ft, and choice ft fruits* 
 
 D ll.0£- 
 
2 6 The ffirituaU ufe of 
 
 The Eleventh Obfervatien in Nature. 
 
 WS finds by experience that after a plant is engrafted^ both 
 the Graft and the fiock^rvill facte forth , axdtf the Graft 
 groty vigoroujly 9 andfirongly t then thejhootes of the fioc^are but 
 weak* , but if the fhoots of theficc\ breakout ftronglyjhen the Graft 
 grows but weakly , therefore the hufbandman takes paines often to cut 
 *jf the /hoots that grotto upon the flacky that Jo the graft may grow 
 the better . 
 
 This is another Similitude of the ft ate of Myfticall Fruit- trees, 
 and ftndowes forth onto us this fropofition. That 
 
 _ -mi While the Spirit uall part in us ails and gr owes fjtrcngljjhe flefbly 
 
 fh°l d P art a & s but weakelyi Soalfo t if the fie Jh be ftrong, the fpirit is 
 ■ ' veeake. 
 
 In all perfons Regenerate,tbere are mo Natures tbe one con- 
 trary to the other, the Spirit, and the flejb, the new man, and the 
 old man ,the Divine Nature^nd Corrupt 2{ature\ihzfc two 2(a' 
 tures abide in us, and ad in us fo long as we live, in this earthly 
 Tabernacle:and they ftriveoneagainft the other, fo that it is the 
 care of the husbandman, and is, or fhould be our eontinuall 
 labour, and bufinefle to ftrengtnenthe//>*m#*///><i7'f agaicftthe 
 flefhly part . 
 
 We find by E xperience ^hit while the fpirituall part afts live- 
 ly,and ftrongiy, the Carnallpart is Cowrie $ While it is by tbe 
 Spirit of(7od,raifed up to a high pitch,snd enlarged with delight, 
 and joy in God and Communion with him in OHeditatio» and 
 Trayerj-hzn all the while Corruptions are low,and weafce, and 
 (as it were)fabdu*d . 
 
 The Apoille tells us what we ronft doe to keep downe Cor- 
 rnptionSjGW. 5 . 1 6. This Jfay^all^ in the fpirit^andye {ball not fulfill 
 the lufis of the fle/hJ'Nhite the foule is in a fpirituall frame,and hath 
 deare apprehenfions oftbeloveoffJodinChriftrtben it is aclive 
 and lively in all the waies of God, though the flefh , be 
 
 as 
 
 Luk. 
 
 12.2.1. 
 
a Garden of Trult-trUt, 17 
 
 asaftrongman Armed; yet when this fpirituall man,(thit is 
 ilronger then he)rifethup,andbeitirshimfelfe,he is able to bind 
 him, and keeps him under, and roles in the foule, until! there 
 bean abating, and Hacking of his fpirituall (trength , and thfn 
 the flefli will foone difcover it felfe,and ftirre, and ad, as tempta- 
 tions,and occasions arife: and then on the othe r fide , the Spiritu- 
 al/part acls but tyeakelyjt is do^ne t low, fiat gaming life andpowtr 9 
 daring fnch ftirring«,and workings of the Qefo.Rom.j. 23. I fee a 
 Law in my members barring againfl the LaW of my mind, and lea* 
 ding me captive &c. 
 
 This fliould teach us often to obferve , and take notice of the . , 
 aBhgt of our [pirits, of the frame and temper of them , whether l ^T e '- 
 thefioc^or the Graft , bud the fader, what fhootes the foule puts 
 forth,of what kind, what the motions ofourfoulesare, whether 
 holy andfpiritualUotcarnalliandearthljlcuUingofl the fe, and pre- 
 Jerving.and cheriftiing thofe* 
 
 If we were watchfull daily, and tooke paines with our fpirits 
 to keepe them up in a fpirituall frame, in Communion with God, 
 then (by degrees ) the fhootes, and growths of the fpirituall part, 
 would become ftrong, and the fhootes of the flefb weak and 
 feeble* 
 
 O that this were well weighed and praclifed by Chriftians/it is 
 the very life,Spirit and poWer of godtinejfs, thus to walk. With God, 
 in communion with him:hereby we are enabled to doe , and fuffer 
 all things for £od, and to refill , and keep under the fiefi 
 and all Enemies : This is the life of our life, and heaven upon 
 iarth . 
 
 D 2 i2» Obfer> 
 
2 8 Thefpmtuall ufeof 
 
 The twelfth Obfervation in Nature . 
 
 T He neerer the Branches of a Tree are to the Roots , the f after s and 
 
 firmer they are, and more free from tojfing and [having by the winds; 
 
 Such grow more f aft and ft eady. zAnd the farther off the Branches are 
 
 from the Koore \the more loofe, and unfteadf aft they an x the more thej 
 
 arewaved^andtojfedby the winds ^and motion of the Aire, 
 
 This is another Similitude of the Hate of fpirituall Fruit- trees.and 
 fhadowes out unto us this Proportion. That , 
 
 Vropofition *&be more clofely a Chriftian walks Veith God, the more fteadf aft he 
 Jhadowed. u,and more free from fpirituall Enemies , 
 
 Every Myfticall Fruit-tree that beares„ good fruit is Ingrafted,, 
 or imp lamed into fefm Chriftfht Roland Sf c^.from whence all 
 the fpiricuali fap,and life , is drawne and derived, whereby the 
 Branches grow and beare fruit * 
 
 And experience (hewes, the neerer the Boughs and 'Branches 
 are unto the Roote, the clofer wewalke with god, the more Com. 
 munion we have with the father, and with his fonne Jefus Chrift, 
 the moiefixed ftable^and mfbzken Vveare. 
 
 When the foule is a farre off from Chrifhit is carried,and tofr 
 fed about.with divers,and ftrange conceipts,and Opinions,doubrs, 
 feares,£roubIes,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 clofe unto hiro, 
 s PfaIm.i6,$Jhave fet the Lord alwaies before me \ he is at my right 
 hand, Ifballnotbe f»oW,therefore he faies, his heart was eft abl'f 
 fhed y and would not Jhr'tnk$, bat was enabled to infult over all 
 „ r Enemies, Pfalm 6 q6. 2. 1 will net feare though the earth be moved, &c'. 
 
 Asthis(hewesusthehappineffeofthofewho walkewith God, 
 foalfo we may hence fee the raiferable Condition of thofe who 
 are out ofChrift; they being afar off from Chrift, thewhole 
 frame of their foule is unfetled, they are like the raging fea that cant 
 not reft:Efa;»$y*20.thm Condition is as was faid of Reuben, Gen. 
 %9.^.unftable as water, 
 
 lames* 
 
a Garden of Fruit-trees, 29 
 
 James. 1.8. They are unfyable in all tboir waies : becaufe a far off" 
 from Chnfl . 
 
 Let this ftirre us up to a watchfull, and circumfpeft care in our 2 Vfe* 
 Converfati'ons'.to get, and keep clofe to Chrift : Such as walke 
 do fely with Qod, live in another fpheare, in a higher Orb t than the 
 common world, though they live with them.- And notwithfhn* 
 ding there be Qommotions^ndfiirs, and turning of 'the world up fide 
 dawne , yet in the fpirics of thefe % z\\ iscalme, aud quiet,their hearts 
 are fixed and unmoved: they feare nut evill ty dings, Vfaiiiz.j ,3. 
 becaufe their hearts arefixed s trusting in the Lord, Pfal. 15.5. 
 they are as Mount Syon that cannot be removed, but abideth fafl for 
 ever. 
 
 The thirteenth Obfervation in Nature . 
 
 IN LMateriall fruit-trees the fower Nature of the wild Vlants 
 that are grafted upon \does (till continue in the ftock , or roote, and is 
 not taken away \or loft by Engrafting jt is only retrained, and kept urn 
 det by the Graft. The "Njture of the Graft is predominant in the 
 Tree, and overrules in bringing forth fruits , according to its owne kind? 
 (although With fomefmall degree of the fo^er Nature of thefiocl^ 
 mixed with-it) And the tWo Natures of the Cjraftjind flock, continue 
 mixed together \fo long af the Tree lives • 
 
 This is another Similitude of the (rate of Myfticall Fruit-trees, 
 and ftudowes forth unto us this Proposition . 
 
 That Corrupt Nature abides in believirs as long as they live t n 6 y' t \ 
 and is but in pan fubdued by grace . aaowe 
 
 Corruption ofTS^ature though it be not call out, yet it is by de- 
 grees, more and more fubdued,reflrayned^and kept under, Row. 6.6. 
 The old man is crucified With him,tbat the body of fin might be deftroy- 
 ed>it is deftroyed as to the ruling power of it ,buc not as to the being 
 of it . 
 
 The 
 
30 The fpritmll ufe of 
 
 ThefpiritofGod working Principles of Grace, or the 'Divim 
 Nature in the foule does corb,reftraine, and (as it were)bind CV- 
 rupt 2(ature, which of it felfe is zsaftrong man Armed \but when a 
 fironger than he eom?th,he bindeth him and keeps him under 9 Lu^. 1 1„ 
 2-i.Not that he cafteeh him oat, as a Land- lord, that tames out an 
 oldXenanu when he pats in a new one: The Apoftle complaineth 
 of it ? Rorn. 7. / find a law in my members warring againft the law of 
 wjminde, &c , The experience of all Believers proves this fuffi. 
 ciently ♦ 
 r/ This fhould hamble us greatly, feeing we carry about with as 
 
 1 H»* continually ,this uncleans bird in our bofomes ,this grand enemy of 
 
 GodjOfallthe Argument s of humiliation, this is the greatefto£ 
 al!,this comprehends all . 
 We fhould admire the infinite love of God to us, that notwith- 
 
 2 V/e . (landing irruption of Nature t \\*t\\ delight in his people, 
 
 I Vie- This fhould make us continually watchfull againft this clofe 
 
 deceitfull enemie , lead it infnareus, and prevaile againft us* 
 it prevailed againft 'David, Solomon, and the mod holy men, how 
 then does it concerne us to watch • 
 
 4 ff ei Let us labour for increafe of grace f 01 as that growes, Corruption 
 
 wafteth.or is kept under ♦ 
 
 5 Vfe . The abiding of Corruption in us, (hould make us long for the 
 
 glory that is to be revealed, when there will be a full deliverance 
 from Corruptionof Tfjtftre^nd all the efTecls, and confequences 
 ofit . 
 
 The Fourteenth Obfervation in Nature .' 
 
 IT is not the tallneffe y norJargeneJfe i ,nor any outward beauties in 
 fruit* trees y that makes them valued, but it is their 2%jittires , and 
 properties in bringing forth good fruits* 
 
 This teachethus: That, 
 Propofition It id not any outward excellencies Jbut the Image ofQodupon the {oule 9 
 Jhadowed . tktt is the glory of a per (on , 
 
 Whatfo: 
 
a Garden of Fruit-trees, * 31 
 
 VVhatfoever hath any likenefle or refemblanceof God, is beauti- 
 full,and has a glory upon it, and by how much neerer it drawes 
 Co God in likeoeffajo much more glorious it is « 
 
 grace or Holimffe makes Creatures beautifull and glorious, in 
 the eyes of God. 
 
 Ifrael was chofen to be unholy people unto the Lord, Dear. y.6. 
 and this was their glory, Deut. 26.18.^*7 were high above all nati- 
 ons f in praife and in name, and in honour ,&c. This was their mfdome 
 and under fanding^and praife in the fight of the Nations, Dear. 4. 
 6-They [aid of them purely this great Nation, is a wife and under ft an~ 
 ding people t&cThis was their beaut y t their glorjjDeat.io.zi . He 
 is thy praife t &c. A hoary head is a Crowne of glory :but When} £ven 
 When it is found in the Way ofrighteoufnejfe, Pro. 1 6 ♦ 3 1 . Yea This 
 fpirituallWifdome in ayoung headjs a Crowne to *>.Prov,3.5. All the 
 things thou can ft deftre are not to be compared unto her . 
 
 This fliewes as the blindneffe , and darkneffe of anregenerate r y^ ^ 
 minds, who fee no brightnefie, nor glory in the Sun, no beauty ' ' 
 in holinefejOr the Image of god; Nay, who rather account it a dif- 
 paragement : They eftceme no more of this glory , then they did 
 of our Saviour, the Lordof glory , who in a carnall eye had no 
 forme, nor comlinejfe, no beauty in him that they fhould defire him 9 
 Efay, 53.2.Thefe pcrfons gl$*y in their fhame % and are afhamed of 
 that tyhith is true glory . 
 
 Oh Let us labour after this glory ', which is more to be de fired -,. 3 
 then gold, yea than much fine gold, Pf ,19.10. That which the world '*" 
 accounts glory, is but a (had ow of glory to this. This excelling 
 tbat infinitely more, then the light of the fun excelleth the light 
 of a CandhyOr of a Clow- worme :This is the Dyamond in the Ring, 
 the fewell in the gasket, the Treafures in the /fc/^.to buy which a 
 wife Merchant will fell all that he hath . 
 
 The fifteenth Obfervation in Nature . 
 
 I 
 
 nLMateriall Fruitttrees there is aclofe,and firme knot between 
 the (lock* andthe graft, whereby they are joynedfafi together, and 
 
 made one bodytyhich \not t and conjuntlion continues t and holds faft, as 
 
 long as the trees live . 
 
 This 
 
$1 The fytrituall ufe of 
 
 This Observation (hadowes oat unto us 1 That Then 
 tpyopofition is a firme and conftant union between Chrift , and every Bel fa 
 Jh^doW^d. ver . 
 
 Al! believers arc implanted, or ingrafted into Jefus Chrift, 
 the true Vine or Stacks and by this ingrafting there is a firme £»«♦, 
 or tye between the ftock^or rcot^and the Branches^ which holdeth 
 forcver,R.om.6.5. We are planted together, &c.Sl Rom. ii, 24. 
 We are grafted contrary to nature into a good Olive "iree . So 
 alio, 1 Cor.6.1 7. H* that is jeyned to the Lordjs one fpirit*This uni* 
 m,or true- loves' knot M made by the fpirit on Chrifts part, and by 
 faith on ours, wrought by him . 
 -., This fhewes us the fure way and fafe condition of every be- 
 
 1 ' * liever,they (hall never fall away, Chrift will not loofeonc of his 
 membcrs.Their enemies (hall never be able to prevaileagainft them: 
 in fighting againftthem,t bey fight with God,they fet themfelves 
 againft Chrift; Saul, Saul, why perfecuteft thou mefA&s 9.4. Yea 
 they (hike at the very face of God, and atthemoft tender part, 
 Zech.2.8.//i? that touchtthyoujoucheth the t/ipple ofhiseye.So thac 
 God will certainly prcferve his people. 
 2V[e» This is aground of folid comfort to every believer.* they 
 
 zCor.6.\6. ftand in the neereft Relations and 'tyes to £hrift that poffibly can 
 1 Pet. 2. 9. b e . ^ s y ranc \j es t0 t y r00t orfioe^as a peculiar people to a fait 6* 
 Jo 20 '\j* f u ^ Q 9 ^ '' ^ s f rten &* t0 CAri/?; as Brethren to £hrift;as Heires and 
 Rom. 8. 1 7. Ccheireswith Chrift; as children to a fat her, as a Wife to the hus- 
 Can.4.7. band\as members to the head • 
 
 Eph. j. 3°. And this Wnicn once made is fure for ever. 
 
 3 V[e % *-et us P f ife tne Priviledges of this union, that fo we may injoy 
 
 the fweetneffe of it j Walkjng^ithGod, light of his countenance, 
 communion Vcith the F 'ather t and with his fonne lefas Qhrift'&c. 
 4Vfe. Seeing we are joyned to Chrift, what manner of perfons ought 
 
 we to be in all holy convention? 
 
 l6.0bferl 
 
a Gar dm of Fruit-tree f* $ 3 
 
 The fixteenth Obfervation in Nature • 
 
 FRuit-trees are not to be permitted to grow itiin Nurferks t but 
 being ingrafted and prepared {in certain? yeares) for Orchards* 
 and fields, ought to be transplanted*, fave only fome few , here and 
 there one y of the be ft kindt, whereof to gather grafts for the young 
 plants . 
 
 This (hadowes out unto us: That p * r ' 
 
 ZJniverfity men ought (in convenient time)togoe forth into the fer~ „ \ \ j 
 vice of the Church t and (Commonwealth , except fome choke perfons t fit 
 for Goverment of the Societies . T 
 
 As Material! nmferies are for the increafe and multiplying 
 of Fruic< trees, where they are prepared(in certaine yeares) for 
 Orchards and fields: So Vniverfities^ or Myfticall Nurferi&t, are 
 for the inftrudion } and discipline of youth.that they may beufe- 
 full, and fruitfull Trees , when tranfplanted abroad into the 
 Church of (Sod . 
 
 If Frttiutrees in a Tlurfery ('where there are fuch multi- 
 tudes »in a little compaiTe) were permitted to grow there 
 many yeares, they could not poffibly fpread, nor inlarge their 
 Branches, whereby they might beare ftore of Fruits, but would 
 fret and gall,aud rub off the Barke-yBlolfomes^nd fruits , of one 
 another . 
 
 So neither is h poflible for multitudes of Students in a Vni$ 
 verfitytofyiead, and (hew forth their gifts and abilities in Prea- 
 ching, or ctherwife (for benefit of others) as they may doe a* 
 broad, where every man may exercife every day, or as oft as he 
 pleafeth. 
 
 Second lyi Fruit-trees in a Nurfery mod not grow there, being 
 ready for tranfplanting t bec*uk fuch hinder many other (mallyoung 
 plants t vf\ ;ich might be brought into the j!S(urfiry t to be ingrafted 
 and prepar«rd t ifthe great ones were tranfplanted ♦ 
 
 So ought it to be in Vnivtrfities ; For unleiTe the ancient S/«- 
 dents(hanng had a convenient time to fit themfelves for publique 
 imployments) doe remove, many ho$eM\ youxg plants vsi\\ be 
 
 E kept 
 
ir f 
 
 34. * Thefprituallnfe of 
 
 kept out,which otherwife,if brought under the difcipline of godly 
 G'overnour5,andingrafced > willfm due feafon) bring forth much 
 good fruit . 
 
 Thirdly; if Fmitttrees (after they tre prepared in the Nurfery 
 for ffuit> bearingjbe removed,and tranfplamed abroad into (eve* 
 rail Coumries,rnany may partake of their fruits,they will be pro. 
 fitable from yeare,?o yeare, which cannot be , if they be kept (till 
 in the Nmfery . 
 
 So if Vniverfny vrnn ( having obtained Gifts and Graces) goe 
 forth,and cxercife their Talents in the Church of God, many may 
 have profit 8 and advantage by them, who otherwife cannot . 
 
 Befides thefe Reafons , the word requires that able^and ufefull 
 men fhould goeforthinto the Church of Csd, L«k. io.i,2.0ur Sa- 
 ^«w(asaMafter,orgQvernourof a great Society) having difci- 
 plined.and taught his *Z)//c//?/w,and made them fit for the Mini* 
 ftrie, he fent out Three fcore and t en of them at one time, having 
 fent Ttoehe not longbefore, Luk. o. 2. Andbecaufe the harveft is 
 great.snd there is need of Labourers, we ought to pray the Lord of 
 the Harveft,that he would (endforth more.Luk.io.s. 
 
 But fuch as are fit,& yet unwilling to goe,may be asked (harp- 
 ly,by way ofreproofe,why (land ye here all the day idle Mat. 
 20.6.Many (land idle in the Market place, while they might, and 
 ought to goe,<s«d labour in the "Lords Vineyard, 
 
 Having aTalent,ot more, they mufl one day be cafled to an 
 account what ufe they have made thereof, and if they have noc 
 well imployed them t nor gained by tbem,they will make but a fad 
 reckoning,Mat. 25,,i<>. the Lord commeth and will reckon with 
 them. 
 
 7"he Inference hence is in every manseye, that fuch whom it 
 concernes,doe confider what their duty is in this regard , and ac* 
 eordingly apply themfelves . 
 
 It is my humble advice 3 with all love- Let not any now f a? too 
 many in former times) having gotten FellcwJBps in Colledges, ac- 
 count them as twere their freehold for life, having accomrooda* 
 lions to fet up their red, and fay its good being here, what can 7 
 expecl better 3 \il goejorth^s though felfe, wereallaman fhouid 
 aymeac . 
 Jf any man be offended, and objecl, why fhould I meddle thus 
 
 far; 
 
a Garden of Fruit-treerl 3 5 
 
 farrlanfwer, I am within the bounds of my Orchard 9 4nd the fub° 
 je cl at firft propofed; Not only to rreatof Ordering mtateriell 
 ^ruit-trees^n alio to make a fpirituall ufe of them, where I judge 
 the Similitude apr,and pregnant ; lama friend and no adverfary 
 in fpeaking the truth in Love . 
 
 The Husbandman having purged his Nurfery, and planted 
 therein many choice plants ( ingrafted into the true Vine ) he ex- 
 pels better fruits there, than former ages have afforded . And k 
 may be fpoken to the honour of the Husbandman , and of the 
 Reformation hitherto carried on by him) that there are pleafant 
 and w hoi fome fruits brought forth by many Tries of righteoufnfjfe 
 of hi^ planting Oh that it might be faid, there are no Wild Vines E( - , 
 among them.bringing forth (ower t andbitterG rapes, or empty Vims j.j^Hofjio."* 
 which bring forth fruit unto themfelves. That the adverfariesof 
 the truth might not have occafion to charge any , efpeciaily fuch 
 as have the name of godly perfons, with T ride, high carriages, 
 earthly mindednejfe, and fucb ltl>e grojft corruptions, which are the 
 fowled Blots tliat can light upon Profejfors t znd bring moll: difho- 
 nour to Godjo his Gofpell, and to themfelves . 
 
 If men in thefe places have fincere t and right endsln their eye, 
 and purfue them accordingly , even the interefi of our Lord Jefas 
 (fhriftin theincreafe of his kjngdome y A? they may thereby bring 
 much honour to G od % bappine$e to themfelves ^edification to his Churchy 
 So alfo the fame is the right and ready way to eftabUfo, and perpe- 
 tuate XXniverfitits. 
 
 Therefore take my counfell, and not mine, but the ss4pofttes, 
 2Tim. 1. 6. flirre up the gift that is in thse- t and againe, iTim> 
 Of.if.Neglttl not the gift that is in thee. 
 
 Such as have Talents whereby they may profit the Church of 
 Go^.ought to employ them for that purpofe, according as God 
 bath fitted them . 
 
 It is true indeed j Some able men in Vniver Jit ies, as godly Tu- 
 tors in every C '-Hedge , befides Governours, may be as profitable to 
 xhtChurcb of God there, as if they went forth; but this reacheth 
 not the generality of men in fuch places.Therefore the exhortation 
 may be feafonably carried on : I know the beft men had need 
 of ftirring up to their duties. 
 
 And that this may willingly be imbraced , Confider what 
 oeede there is of faithfuli, able, and p.iwj all Teachers abroad In e- 
 
 B 2 very 
 
3 6 The ffirituall ufe of 
 
 very Country: The Harvefl truiy is great, and fuch labourers 
 are hue few.- ' Multitudes, Multitude's of people 4 lye in the gall 
 cf 'bittermffe^and bond of 'imejuiij , and would it not be a glori- 
 ous worke, to be inftruraentaSi in turning them from darf^effe 
 tolights and from the power of Sathan unto God: yea; and the 
 woike alfowill make fuck lnftruments glorious , Dan, 12. 3, 
 Thy that be Wife, fhall Jhine as the brightneffe of the firmament^ and 
 the] that twne many to righteoufnejfe, as the Parrs forever, and 
 ever . 
 
 I (hall fay no more." verbumfat fapientibus t there are a world 
 of Encouragements to this sn ike ^eX^ards^and wages are ?*» *> s be(ides 
 infinite Tte&fures laid up for them to all Eternity, 
 
 Secondly 1 fuch as are Governours in\Vnivtrfnies ought to take 
 
 2 We* fpeciall care that men goe \j 'on h y who are fitted for publique 
 
 imployments, and not to leave it to their wills, and pleafuresj 
 
 fot although fome are carried out by the (pirit^nd fpirituall Trin- 
 
 rifles ,to fpend, and be fpent in the work of the Lord, yet Tome o- 
 
 thers (even good men)give way tofelfifh, carnall Principles, and 
 
 negleclit: Therefore Governours ought herein to follow Chrifis 
 
 *by making Orders , and £xample,znd to * fend them forth to preach Chrift , 
 
 Ruks in the" fevetall foisie- If it be asked whither (hall they goe? it is Anfwered,to 
 
 tics for tbut end; and not ro p reac h the Gof pell to everj creature\to all mankind; where' 
 
 \yaHe (intbU great refpeSt) jr oeVer k ^ wanc j n g ; For if they are Mimflers of the Gof' 
 
 bv ft mutes maae in auric n <r t ~..i,„~. ,~ » •„ ^ • 
 
 clrupttmer, Is ir likely /»">* mceffitjfyct upon them co preach IC, I Cor.9.i6.yea, 
 
 /ai/biiiould be meete Rules woe unto them if thej preach not the Gcfpell s whether they 
 
 for thefe Gofpell times , have a fetled maintenance or no.Jt they be faithful! herein, 
 
 ■rhefe times of light, and Re. i^nChrifl whofe worke it isjwiil certainely fee they have 
 
 formation ? a ij Ke ^ e jf Ar ig S miniflred unto them: As the earth is the 
 
 "Lords and the fulneffe thereof foal! hearts are in his hand too; 
 
 which he tames as he pieafeth. Mens hearts fhall be opened to 
 
 them, not only to receive and take in the ^oord which they bring , 
 
 but alfo to give out of their fubftance^ to allure them of it more 
 
 certainely, then they can be by any other meanes : But when 
 
 men lie ftill neglecting the Lords worke, watching for an 
 
 advantage, to get fome great place t worth fo much by theyeare, 
 
 this (as it makes fuch perfons low , nr&cheapt, even in the eyes 
 
 cf good men,5nd reflects upon the vpbole LMintfiry in the eyes 
 
 of the worldjfoalfo this renders the labours of many, fruitlefe 
 
 and infuccefTful^it being a ja^and righteous thing with God to 
 
 leave 
 
a Garden of Fruit-trees. 57 
 
 fuch tothemfslves and their carnall ends* 
 
 And as to thofe perfons who have beene long in Vniverfities^ 
 and are not fit for any pubh'que imployment either in Church or 
 Common- wealth,hw\ng mifpent their time, and improved in no* 
 thing but in Corruptions; thefe ought to be cafi out,as wfavoury 
 falt t Oi removed as unprofitable x unfruitfnll trees ,out of the Nurfery 
 that fo there may be roome for other hopeful/ young plants to 
 grow,and thrive in their places,to be profitable lnftruments in their 
 generation, And \lGovernours have not fufficient authority to fend 
 forth the o»e,ot to caft out the other,ihey ought to obtaine it, where 
 it may be had: Otherwife the great andmaine end of 'Vniverfities 
 can never be attayned, neither can Govemours who negled to doe 
 tbis,be able to make a good accompt onto God in this matter, 
 which will fhortly be required of them: Give an accompt of thy 
 fiewardfhip t for thou maift be no longer fteward . 
 
 The feventeenth Obfervation in Nature. 
 
 FRfiit' trees never loofe their innate or natural! properties, but they x 
 abide in the Trees, as long as the trees UvelTheymay (and fomettmes 
 do) loofe all adventitious properties fuch as they have by the %sin, and 
 indufirie of ' menjbm thsy neuer loofe their Naturally All the skill, and 
 power of men, cannot rob the Trees of their T^jiturall properties 
 Without the deftrutlion oftheTrees. 
 
 This is another Similitude of the ftate of M) 'flic all fruit-trees 
 and fhidowes forth unco us this Proportion . That. „ 
 
 Saving grace, or the divine T^aturt in believers •, abides in the „ J \ 
 foufe for ever y but common Gifts t or Graces may be loft. * aowea. 
 
 When God gives any foufe toChnftthere is then a Marriage 
 between Chrift and that fcule ;Now the Bonds and LaVpes of UWar- 
 riage,ho\& and are in force,fo long as the parties live.. 
 
 The Covenant between God and his people is a Well ordered 
 covenant, fun , and (ledfaft,2 Sam. 23. 5. 
 
 Cjrace in Believers, is afpirituall nature, or the *Divine T^ature: 
 And if that all naturail living Creatures retaine their Natural! 
 vertues, and properties, fo long as they live, how much more (hill 
 the yW<?,(whichisafpkicuall fubftance^hold and keep thofe fpim 
 ritually T^aturall properties, habits and inclinations ,tbat God fix- 
 eth in it . Bolt' 
 
3 8 The 1 [firltttdl itfe of 
 
 Mineffe, is a Divine T(at ure, or new Creature which God pats 
 into the Soolesof Beleivers, and in refped ofdurationjis like un- 
 to the Author of it, who is EternalL 
 
 We are kept by the power of God % through faith, I Pet, I . y 2 
 A nd as God is the ^Author of faith, fo aifo he is the perfetler ofit 9 
 Heb. 12. 2. 
 
 All the Attributes of God, are engaged for our perfeverance 
 in grace; he is j ait hf nil, Vrhoalfo Vcill do tt, i Thef: 5. 23,24. 
 
 lWillpmmy fsare (this new Niturr) into their hearts % and 
 they /ball never depart from me, fer. 32.40. they ftiall never loofe 
 it, neither (hail their enemies take it from them, either with 
 po\%>er,ot policy, it is impojfible. <J7liar\$* 24. 24. If it Were pojftble 
 they /hall deceive the very Eletl, implying, it is not pofllble. 
 
 Multitudes of other Scriptures might be brought to this 
 purpofej but I ftudy brevity throughout all the worke* 
 
 But now: fuch as have but Common Spiritual! Gifts may, and 
 do fall away 5 Thefe make a Profeffion for a time(for fome felfe, 
 and finifter ends) and after a while fal) off, and come to nothing. 
 
 They are *$iT$ough fluck^ in the ground without Roots, that 
 for a while in the pleafant fpring, will bud and BiofTome, like 
 other booghes, (upon living Trees) but in the heateqffommer, 
 it withers and dies; fee Obferv 9. 
 
 Many have excellent natur all pans, in refpecl of their appre* 
 henfion, under {landing, ^Memory, utterance &c* Much Learning, 
 skill, and acquired abilities, and may be able to Preach, Pray, dif; 
 cottrfe &c. much better, then many of Gods people, they may 
 be inlightned, and t aft of 'the heavenly Gift, they may receive the 
 word of God with fome liking of it, and in fome things con* 
 forme unto it; And yet (by degrees) may loofe all, orraoft of 
 thefe things; for all thefe, if no more, come fhort of true grace, 
 orholintffe, they are common to the Reprobate, as well as to (he 
 EletJ* Tkey^ent out from tts , beccule they were not of w ♦ i.Joh: 
 2. 19. fuch are as the ftonie ground, Matth. 13. 21. the feed fprings, 
 and dies focne after. 
 
 Thefe thing* being fo, it highly concernes all Profeffours to 
 looke well ro their principles, what they have received, whether 
 true, and faving graces, 01 bu* only Common Gifts, andGraces, left 
 with the foolifb Vtrgins, that had Lamps but no Oyle, they be (hut 
 out of heaven, when they expect to enter in. 
 
 Hence 
 
a, Garden of Fruit-trees* $$ 
 
 Kence we may fee the folly, and weaknefTe of thofe who 
 labour more for fp'irituall gifts, then for faving graces', fomemen z ' 
 beflowmore coftjime, and labour, for accomphfbments inhumane 
 Leaming^and Morall abilities .which may be all loft, then [hey doe 
 for the Wifdome of God,and his fmage,whkh abide in the foule for 
 ever. Is not this Efau like,who preferred a Mejfe ofTottage^a- 
 fore a blejfing ? 
 
 How (hall any be able to excafe fach men from groflfe fpiritu- 
 all folly ,blindne(fe and want offudgment,who preferre things where* 
 in Sathan excells them, before thofe things which make men re- 
 ferable God? 
 
 Sorely, there is no clearer Evidence of darkneffe of mind s thm 
 for men to labour more earnefilyfor <jifts than for Graces t for things 
 that pzritojhenfor Etemall Treafures . 
 
 The nineteenth Obfervation in Nature . 
 
 HT 'He husbandman hath ufe for many Tooles, and lnflruments y a- 
 bout his Works in his Cjarden of Fruit -trees 5 and if any of thm 
 grow dull^and unferviceable for which ends they were appoynted,if his 
 knives t faWesi&c.( after often whetting^and filing) Will not cut, but 
 become blunt , and dull took s y he Uyes them aftde{or perhaps fometimes 
 in difpleafurejhrowes them afidejand maizes ufe of fome other Jnflru- 
 mentsthat have an ehg:He very much approves of {harp Tooles about 
 his work* • 
 
 This fhsdowes out unto us; Thar, 
 
 God is well pleafed with zealous^and aSlivehfiruments in his Works', ^ ro poftttm 
 But mm ofdall,indijfe rent fpiritsJoe(of ten) Uyes them afide, and puts** 1 *™ 1 ®™* 
 ethers iu their ftead* 
 
 God the Great OHiflicall husbandmau hath great works in 
 hand in his Garden the Qburchtfoh. 5.17. My father Worketh bit her- 
 to t and I workeiAnd though he can doe all his works with a word 
 of hisMouth,yethe is pleafed to make ufe of many Injiruments 9 
 in carrying them on. 
 
 Now God doth very much approve of Zealous, and attivs 
 inftmmems'm the works he fees them aboutj) their zeale being 
 
 gui- 
 
4-0 The ffirituall ufe of 
 
 guided with wifdome, and Judgment J Jehu, becaufe be was 
 Zealous and atliveiot God in deftroying Ahabs houfe, God efta- 
 
 livings 10.30. blifhed him, and his pofterity,in the Tbrone,unto the fourth gene- 
 rasran;But Saul, an eminent Infirument (and (et op by God bim- 
 felfe) yet neglecting to doe the Lords work throughly, (which 
 was in his power to doeJGod laid him afide in difpleafare,*nd fee 
 u p 7) avid(a zealous andatlive Infirument) in his (lead , to carry 
 on the works he had to doe. 
 
 And £/*,f though a good man) and an eminent Infirument in 
 the hand of god, yet when he grew dull,& wanted tdgjtiv. zeale 
 to fuppreffe the wickednefle of bis fonnes 3 and to honour God in 
 his Office , CJod was exceedingly difpleafed with hirn,and threw 
 him afide (in refped of making ufe of him any longerjand chofe 
 another in his (lead* iSam. 3. But how well was (Sod pleafedi 
 with Phinehas , a man of fpirit,and zeale for God? God himfelfe 
 ftandsup for him, and commends him: phinehas andbisfonnes 
 wereefhbliftiedinthe Priefts Offce^mb^.ii.Be Jhal have it, 
 and his feed after him % even the Covenant of an everlafiing Priefihood, 
 becaufe he was zealous for his God ♦ 
 
 God cannot abide indifferency ana luke-warmneffe'm matters concer- 
 ning his honour, and the intereft of his fonne,which he himfelfe 
 is jealous for: adullfatjndifferent fpirit in thefe things,is loathfome 
 to C/od 5 hs cannot beareit^Rfz/^. 16. Becaufe thou art lu^e-warm-, 
 and neither hot nor cold J tyillfpeW thee out of my mouth* 
 Men that act not for God,they acl againft him,Luk,i i*ii%He that 
 is ml with me is again fi me . 
 
 Wfe. Seeing this is fo: It is the fafety and wifdome of all men in any 
 
 place of Power,higher, or fubordinate, to lay out themfelves 
 with zeale for God,to be diligent and affive Infiruments in the de- 
 fignes ofCyod.acling according to the direclions,and leadings of his 
 Word and Providences* 
 
 The advantages will be,not only the honour of God in the inlarge- 
 ment,andefiabltfhment of the kjngdome ofChrifi^ but alfo the honour 
 and eflablifhment of Uch Infiruments. God will ftill delight to im- 
 ploy them in bis great works,2V»/0£.2$;.i3, 
 
 The 
 
a Garden of * Fruit-trees. 41 
 
 The nineteenth Obfervation in Nature ~ 
 
 *V He Husbandman in tsfutumn and Winter, is "Pruning of his treetl 
 and boughs and branches are feat tered up and doVont all the part* 
 of the Orchard. He is then digging up the earth \and baring the Roots of 
 trees ,tr an [planting fome, and Jetting others in their roomes, and doing 
 many other Voorkj which make the Garden Ije rough,and unhandfomelyi 
 But all the fe worki tend to the greater beauty ,plea(ure,& profit t in the 
 garden afterwards in the fpring. t and femmer . 
 
 This Similitude fhadowes out unto us this Proposition f which 
 is cleared by Scripture*) 
 
 That the Commotions, troubles, and confufions in the fhurch of^ropofition, 
 (jod % will end in the (ettlement,peace and glory of it . JbadcVced. 
 
 God hath a great work to doe in cbe world, and is now about 
 it,even in our daies ; He hath faid, he Will (bake- the heavtns^and the 
 earth,andthe fea,andthe dry land\That he Vpill/hafy all nations , and 
 the defire of all Rations Jhall come % Hag.2. 6,7. 
 
 When were the Heavens,&nd the Earthed the Sea, (0 fhaken 
 as they have been of late yeares? whoknowes not of the overture 
 nings , and great alterations, that have been among us both in 
 Church and State?lt is God that changeth the times, and the fea» 
 fons.it is he thatputteth downe one,and fetteth up another, and 
 all.thefe things are but in order unto the glory of his fburch: Yea 
 he will dill (hake, andoverturne the Nations untill he hath efta- - 
 bliflied, and fetledhis fonneChrift, Lord and King over all the 
 Earth: This is his great dejigne now in hand. 
 
 Thus faith the Lord God t remove the T)iadem, and tak* off" the 
 CrotynejhU Jball not be the fame 7 ex alt him that is lory y and abafe him 
 that u high } Ezek.2i.26. 
 
 J Will overturne y overturne y overturne it, and it [hall be no more,u*- 
 t ill he come whofe right it is J will give it him . 
 
 Chrift alone hath right to raigne, and God hath promised hfrn 
 the Heathen far his inheritance, and the utter mafi parts of the Earth 
 for his po(fcJfion,Pfa\.2*S. 
 
 And luch as oppofe bim,and (land out in rebellion againft him 
 (though they be Kings and Monarch's) and fay we will not have 
 
 F this 
 
4% Thefpirituall ufe of 
 
 this man to raigne over us,he will breal^fuch "frith a rod oflron % and 
 dajh them in peeces like * Potters vejfellfifal.z,?. 
 
 Chnft now meets with ©ppofidonin coming to enter upon 
 his kingdome,and thence are all the ftirres, commotions ,and confuji' 
 okj among usjbuchewiil at length prevaile,and the government /ball 
 be upon bis Jho utters, and of the increafe of his government, and peace 9 
 there Jhall be no tndjhe zeale of the Lord of ho ft s Will per for me this % 
 Efsy.o. 7. 
 
 His Kingdome (hall at length be eft ablijhed upon the tops of the 
 Jlfountair.es ,and be exalted above the hills , Mica: 4. 1. And after he 
 hath rebuked the (hong nations of the eartb,and brought them 
 into fubjeclion > T'^» the) Jhall beat their fwords into plowjbares, and 
 their fpeares into Pruning bookstand Jhall learne war no more, hit they 
 /ball fit every mm under his Vine, and under his Figftree t and none 
 JhaU make them afraid, for the mouth of the Lordofhofts hath (poken 
 it. Mica .4.3,4. and againe, Efay. 3 2. 1 S.Afy people Jhall dWell in a 
 peaceable habitation, and in (me drillings, and in auiet refting places! 
 Let all take notice of the great defigne that God hath in hand, 
 
 1 ZJfe. in the enlargement of the kingdome of his fonne, and eftablijhing him 
 in it, and beware they be not found fighters againft God . And 
 though men contrive 3 and bend their ftrength againft God, yet 
 will he carry on his work, and they (hall be broken, Efay. 8. ©♦ 
 tsfjfociateycur felves,0 ye people^ and ye Jhall be broken in piece /, 
 Qird your [elves \and ye Jhall be broken in pieces . 
 
 % Vfe* ■ This troth is fall of Confoiations to the Church of God, which 
 hath been long oppreffed and kept : under by the enemies there- 
 of* For furely the time of deliverance is neere . 
 
 As by the budding and bleffcmingof the Fig-tree, and all other 
 Trees,we know that the Sommer M»*m:fo-tbe terrible fhakingof 
 the T^ations declare that the redemption of Gods people drawes 
 neere (chefe being the laft daies) The day of the Churches deli- 
 verance (from under the power of estfntichrift) huh dawned, 
 Efay. do. t. Arife.andjhinej for the light is come s and the glory of the 
 Lord is rijen upon thse t Whinas thou haft been for fake n r and hated, (0 
 that no m anient through thee ,1 will make thee an aernall excellen- 
 cy,ajoy of many Generations', Verf. 15. 20. The Lord Jhall be thine 
 wtrUfting light ^and the daies of thy mourning Jhall be ended. 
 
 The 
 
a Garden of Fruit-tree f* 4* 
 
 The twentieth Obfervation in Nature ♦ 
 
 THe graft and flocf^ of the fruit»tree t are fojoyned together, as 
 that they are the one Within the other ,andfo made one intWe body. 
 The Graft is within the Stoc&tt refpeEl of its fubflance (the flock in; 
 clofethfome part of it) And the Stocks within the Graft , by its fap t 
 and moifture giving nourifhment to it? whereby it thrives and brings 
 forth good fruits: So they being joyned, and me within the other % are 
 made one body or (ub fiance . 
 
 This Similitude faidowes out unto asl That Proportion 
 
 Believers by ingrafting into Chrift, doe live in him, and he in thtm % (b&dowed. 
 and are thereby made one with him. 
 
 This truth is clearely held forth unto us in Scripture ; It is a 
 great Myftery, not underftood, or comprehended by any natu- 
 ral! man, and better underftood (in our own fpirits by expert- 
 ence)than exprefled toothers.' The Apoftle faies 2 Cor.4. id* 
 Teare the Temple of the living God, as God hath [aid, iVvilldftcll 
 in them and walke in them. And ijoh.4. 16. He that dwellethin 
 love,dwellethinGod s and God in him. Believers dwell in God the 
 fathered in Chrift % V(\d in the fpirit;*nd fy^and Chrift, and the 
 fpirit dwe\\ in them. As the fpirit is in Beleivers, fo they are in 
 the fpirit, Gal. 5*25. If We live in the fpirit, let us alfo wal^e inthe 
 f pi r it. G%\ 2.20.1 live yet not ljbut Chrifl liveth in me . 
 
 And now; by this fpirituall or myfiicall union between God and 2CW.13.?. 
 his people ,they are made one with Godi Not to be underftood 
 as fame have faid, That every believer hereby is God, and fo ad- 
 vance themfelve* above what is meet. It is trtie believers are 
 made one with Chrift, 1 Cor. 6. 17. He that is joyned to the 
 Lord is one fpirit, and Ephef. 4.4. There is one body, andonefpi* 
 rit* 
 
 And it is the prayer of our Lord Chrift ( which is certainly 
 beard) that his people, with his father, and himfelfe may be one. 
 Joh. 1 7. 2 1 .That they all may be one,as thou father art in me, and I in 
 thee, that they alfo way be one in us.v.22. And the glory which thou 
 gave ft me j I have given them, that they may be one, even as we are 
 
 F 2 one . 
 
44 The ffirituall ufe of 
 
 ontyZ 3. / in thtm^and thou in me , that they may be made perftbt in 
 one . 
 
 What a wonderfull myftery is this, that Believers (hould be 
 united to,and made one withGod^s the Father , and the Sonne are 
 one ? Not in refpecl of partaking of his ejfentiall and incommuni- 
 cable properties which Creatures are uncapible of,but in refpecl of 
 reality and /TwkBelievers are as truly, and really joyned,and uni# 
 ted to Chrift as the Branches of a Tree are unto the root . 
 
 As the Stock and the Graft are really joy nt d together, and are 
 one within the other, and mtde one body, fo are Believers really 
 united to God, God dwelling in them, and they in God, and are 
 made one fpirit with him through Chrifr,iCor.6. 17. He that is 
 joyned to the Lord is one fpirit. knd againe, 1 Cor. I2# 13. 1>j one 
 fpirit tve are united \cfrc. 
 
 Seeing Believers live in Ged,andGodin them, and that thej are 
 i '/'• made one with him . This fhewes us their [aft Condition* notwith- 
 
 standing the malice,and power of all their enemies. They (hall 
 never be able to prevaile againft Gods people, or to hurt them. 
 *s4s the hits are about ferufalem,fo is the Lord round about his peo$ 
 ple'Vfal. 1 25 2-The LMercy 9 T he wifdome, power Jove ,andfaithfulnejfe 
 of God com paiTeth them about, for they live in Qod. This is the 
 .Hedge that was about Job; Chap. i.io,Thou haft made an hedg about 
 him^and about all that h hath: fo that Sathan could not touch him 
 without leave. 
 
 1 . from hence we may gatherfThat believers (hall be fure to 
 
 2 Vie \ prefevere in grace unto the end\for they live in God^andfrom him they 
 
 receive allfupplies of grace. Seeing Chrift is rifen up, and dies no 
 more,believers, that are in him as really as the graft in the ft W^, 
 they Jhall be fed,and nourifbed by him continually , as the ftockjeeds t 
 and nourijhes the Graft X the Roote is never dry, but ftill gives fap 
 to the ^4»c^j,both in winter,and fommer: fo Chrift is the true, 
 and living Vine, the Roote and y?w/^filled with all thefulnefle of 
 God,out of which we all receive^ race.for grace^nd are nourished 
 with thisiiving Sap unto Eternal! life .foh.4. 14. Springing up unto 
 Bternall life • 
 
 This Vnion,andOnenetfe between us,snd ^od the father, and 
 
 3 Vk' Chrift (hould make us live a holy ,and a Gofpell Converfationfach 
 
 as becomes our /fe/*»e».Seeing tbefe things are fo s what manner 
 
 oS 
 
a Garden of Fruit-trees, 45 
 
 of perfons ought we to be in all holy Converfadon?Let us there- 
 fore drive to be holy,as (7od is holy,and perfect, as our heavenly 
 father is perfect Seeing that we are fo neereto God, and live in 
 God^vie may by eying,and beholding of him, be more, and more 
 changed into his Image t and likenejfe fiom one degree of glory no 
 another, iCor. 3, 18. and fo be more, and more partakers of his 
 divine Tfature&mX thereby dayly have mote Communion y andfe /- 
 lorpjbip with him (as two friends being for the mod part together, 
 are intimately acquainted,and familiar with each other)This is the 
 top Priviledg of beleivers on this fide heaven^e (hould therefore 
 bring forth fruit anfwerable to the fpir it, and fap that we receive 
 from Qnrifl our ftock^ 7 and Roote, whereon we grow, into which 
 we are implanted . 
 
 The twenty firft Obfervation in Nature . 
 
 FRuiMrees of the fame [pedes \ or kind \are all like one another \T he f 
 rtfemble one another in their T^atures^and in their fbape£olour 9 
 Leaves ^Suds^Bloffomes^and fruits ; So that they are clearely diffe- 
 renced hereby from other kinds'.mm know them to be fuch 9 or fuch kinds 
 of tress ^and of one kjnd % by their likeness one to another • 
 
 Hence we Ieaine. That 
 
 All Believers have a likeneffe t and refemblance of one another in the PropoJitio» 
 Image of God upon their (oules, jh&dowed I 
 
 The Image ofC/od is thefameupon allbelievers, and differs 
 not,butonly in the degrees of it, uponfomeit ismorebeaunfull, 
 and glorioos,then upon others,yet the fame in refpeel of the qua- 
 lities, and Nature of it. AW have a love.and liking of all the ebjefis 
 of love , as they are difcoverd,arid made manifeft: And alfo there 
 is in the foules of all believers,an hatred,or diflike of what is con- 
 trary to God , and to that fpirituall or divine T^jtture in them, as 
 the ipirit of Qod difcovers/#c& obje&s to their underji an dings. And 
 the Caufe of all Controve»fies , and difference in Judgment a- 
 mongft Gods pcop!e,is not from any difference in x\\i\t fpirituall 
 nature, for that is the fame in all, but from different degrees of 
 
 F 3 l*&br 
 
§6 The ffiritmll ufe of 
 
 light, and mawfe flat ions in particular things.hme are more renew- 
 ed, and changed in the fpirit of their minds and have more of 
 the Image of God, and are more purged from Corruptions then 
 others , and thence it is that all cannon comprehend things 
 alike,yet is their a likeneffe,and refemblance in their 2^atures t there 
 are the fame adings, andmovingsof foule , the likening«,and 
 luftings after holy and fpirituallchings(in fome meafure or degree} 
 ia one, as in another: in weakens in ftrong Chriflians : A Child 
 hath the fame Members, and is of the fame Nature, as a man at 
 full growthj So the Spiritual I Man, 
 
 God hath promifed to put this likeneffe npon his people 
 Ter.32.39J Will give them one heartland one way* God will make 
 all of them hate the fame things; all the deteft able things where 
 they come, Ezekj II. vtrf. 19 Ifoillgive them one heart'* The 
 \JMultitude of them that believed, Were of one heartland ofonefottle. 
 Alls: 4. 32. 
 
 I Vfel Here we have atrUeTouchfione of an honefl heart; fuch as have 
 
 arealllove, and liking of fpirituall things, Thofewhofe hearts 
 fecretly dofe with the people of God, becaufe they are his, and 
 heartily joy ne with them in their mod fpirituall, holy walkings, 
 difliking,and oppofing (from a Principle within) things that hin* 
 der the works of grace,and kingdome of Chrift, they may certain- 
 ly conclude, they are of the Ele & of God i becaofe they are 
 like , and of the fame flamp with the reft of his peo- 
 7 , pie. 
 
 z ^' € ' This is a ftrong Cord to draw, and tye faft together all the 
 Children of God,They are like, and refemble one another, are of one 
 and the fame nature properties, and difpofitions^Ko they have aU one 
 God, one father, one faviour,one fpirit,one and the fame portion, 
 and inheritance, £?^f#ij/f, and refemblance { in Naturall,Morall, 
 and fpirituall thing? ) is a ground of Lme^.nd Vnion . 
 
 The two and twentieth Obfer vation in Nature . 
 
 ^VHe Husbandman prepares (in his Nurfery fuch wild Pants as 
 
 he intends to bnng,and plant in his Cj arden' He plants none in his 
 
 Orchard t or Gardeniytherethey are to grow a long time) but fuch as 
 
 are 
 
a Garden of Fruit-trees, 47 
 
 an fir ft ingrafted, prepared and grtWen fit for that purpofe in the 
 Nurferj* 
 
 This fliadowes out unto us: That 
 
 Thofe dehorn God purpofeth to bring ( hereafter*} into his CV Protofi'hn 
 leftiall Taradice, he prepareth them for it here , in tbisfa^gj^ 
 life* 
 
 The whole Earth is Gods great Nttrfery , where he hath 
 Plants growing of aflforts t *nd ages,iome newly fprung op, wild, 
 and unmans red, others well growen,Engrafted, and prepared , for 
 the heavenly Canaan, whom he is daily removing, and traniplan* 
 ting thither: preparation for this Garden of God , is absolutely 
 cecelTary. Now thcr's no preparation of wild Plants for a Garden, 
 without ingrafting; all the Culture, pruning y drejfing 9 or ordering 
 the husbandman can ufe,is to no purpofe, without Engrafting, 
 cither of 2^aturall t or fpirituail plants,fo. 3.3. Except a man be borne 
 againejie cannot fee the kin gdome of God. Astothe wild Naturall 
 Plants there is a new Nature added by Engrafting , fo there is 
 alfo a nety TSfatnre , the divine Nature, put into the foole, by 
 Regeneration^ Ingrafting into Chrift, without which there can 
 be no preparation for glory . 
 
 The Apoftle fpeaking of the glory above(and that the faints groan 
 earneftlyforir,)faies,God fits them and prepares them for this 
 ftate ofgk»ry:2 Cor.$.^.Hethat hath wrought us for the felfe fame 
 thing isGod God fquares t andVe or k* thefe fpirituail , lively (rones, 
 for the fpirituail building,as a Mafon hewes s and fquares.the ftones 
 be intends for a Material! building. Or (to keepe to the fimiii- 
 tudeinhandjthe husbandman prepares the Plants he intends to 
 Plant in hisGarden.ere he remove them thither* Co!.i. 12. Giving 
 tbankes to the father who hath made us meete to be pertakers of the inhs- 
 titance of the faints in light • 
 
 As there are velTels of wrath fitted to deftru&ion, foa!fo,tbere 
 are veiTels of mercy prepared unto glory. Rom. 9. 23. Thin people 
 have J formed for myfeife'. they fhaU (hew forth my praife Eby. 
 43. 21. There is an absolute neceifity of this preparation, becaufe 
 (might it be fuppofed as a thing pollible , that a naturall msn 
 fliould come to heaven.it would be but even a burthen to him^he 
 would have no joy, no refiner contentment thesej for all things 
 
 there 
 
48 The fprltuall ufe of 
 
 there are contrary to his Nature*now nothing pleafetfo, but things 
 thac are according to our Nature*, therefore God prepareth his 
 people, by giving them another Nature,the divine 2^4/m,which 
 is fan&ifkation.or holineffo 
 
 God fits,and prepares his people for glory, by Convincing 
 them of their (late and condition by Nature.fhewing them a way, 
 and meanes of getting out of it, even by laying hold on Chrift 
 by faith, clofing with him upon the tearmes of the Gofpell , 
 The Spirit of God unites them unto, and (by faith) ingrafts thera 
 into that fruhfull living fiock^ \e[us Chrift, without which none 
 cm he prepared ttnto glory . And after this Ingrafting, the Huf- 
 bandmm goes on to prepare his Plants, by Pruning 9 d reding, 
 and ordering of them, by meanes of Ordinances , Afflictions, 
 Temptations , difpenfations of providence, and workings of his fpirit 
 in all thefejwhereby he brings them to further degrees of Sancli- 
 fcationiuntdi they have attained their meafure, and are fitted for 
 
 glory. 
 
 V\e* Let all that have an expectation of the glory that is to be 
 
 revea^confider well this poynt, it is as poffible (and as likely)' 
 
 the Carpenter ihmld take Trees newly cut downe, rough, and 
 
 unfquared ( boughes and all; and put them into a Building.as thac 
 
 God fhould bring foules to glory (the body being cue downe) 
 
 which he hath not fitted, and prepared for glory : Therefore if 
 
 thoucanfl not (upon fome good grounds.) fatisfie thyfelfethafi 
 
 God is in a way of preparation with theejet not thine eyes fleepe, 
 
 neither the Temples of thine head take any reft , untill thou find 
 
 fome good evidences of this thing. And let fuch as find, and 
 
 a This is a cleare evidence our Names are know , they are prepared for glo* 
 
 written in heaven, when the Law of CjoA,rJ (by Engrafting into Chrift , Cal-' 
 
 (according to the New Covenant) is mitten ling, Sanflification &C. Rejoyce in the 
 
 tn our hearts, that is, when there are T A °i -I—--, k«*.-«r. •>!»»:• a tvt 
 
 inclinations, and iifp&in, in oar hearts Lord alwa.es.becaufe their » Names an 
 
 according to the word, when there is a new written tn heaven, they being prepared 
 
 Nature, Hniinefe, or fanftification, in fome for it jftiali certainly be broughtuntoirj 
 
 meafure 
 
 The 
 
a Garden of Fruit-trees] 42 
 
 The three and twentieth Obfervation in Nature. 
 
 NAturall fruit' trees increafe by little and little ever J 
 yeare, thy are not fuddenly great, and large trees, but tbty 
 increafe by degrees , every jeare they groty bigger, and larger every 
 w&yjbythe culture and diligence of the husbandman, and influences of 
 heaven 7 untill they attaint their full growth. 
 
 Thisfhadowes out unto us the (lace of fpirttuall Fruit-trees," 
 in this Propo/ition . 
 
 That grace in the hearts ,of Believers is not Juddenly firong^ but Vropofition 
 ft tength is gotten by degrees, (hadomd. 
 
 Grace is compar'd to a Grain of Muftard feede, which though it 
 be very fmalljet by degrees it groweth very great Mark* 4. 31. 
 Jt is like a Cjraine of UWuflardfeed, Which when it is foWen in the 
 Earth-yis lejfe then all the feeds that be in the earthier f,$ 2. but When 
 itisfowenit groweth up, and becometh greater then all herbs 9 and 
 fbooteth out great Branches &c. 
 
 The inclinations,and new difpofitions which the fpirit of God 
 beginneth to worke in the fouIe,they are then but very weake.and 
 flender,fcarce(it may be)to be perceived, but afterwards they are 
 more fenfiblejit is as Come fowed in the field (our Saviour holds 
 it forth by that Similitude CMar^. 28J which bringeth forth, fir ft 
 the blade ^then the Eare, after that the full corne in the Eare* 
 Come (wee know) (pringsupat firflvery fmal! and (lender, and 
 fcarcely to be diftinguifhed from (?ralTej fo the firft fpringings of 
 Grice in fome are fo fmall, that they are fcarce to be percei- 
 ved, nor are they eafily diftinguifhed from yJiUrall ver* 
 tuts 4 
 
 The word of God is compar'd to feede, £#£.8.11 .the feed is the 
 ward } &c. Now the fpirit of God, being the efficient Caufe, or 
 worker, As the husbandman c a (tech feede into his ground which 
 he has prcpar'd for that purpofe, fo does the fpirit cart, or put 
 thewordinto the heart, hecaufeth it to fallen , to take hold, 
 and to make iropreflion in the heart and confcience of believers, 
 and there he waters it, and caufethitto grow, he makes it take 
 erTed,aod to worke according to the Nature of the word . 
 
 G And 
 
5 o The ffirhuall ttfe of 
 
 And oftbis feedethe 2\£*ft> man is borne,iP*M.23. being borne 
 agdne, not of corruptible (cede , but of incorruptible, by the word of 
 god , &c . 
 
 A Child newfy borne, is not prefently a Man, bat he growcs 
 up by little, and little* God hath Children^young men. and fathers 
 in his great family the Church, believers offeverall ages, feme 
 weake, and forne (hong. 
 
 1 Vfg» This being fo , then the fower, harfhdoclrine that fome men 
 
 often difpence, wkhout due ingredients, or diftinctions, is doc 
 according to wifdome, laying loads, and burthens upon weake 
 (boulders, and giving ftrong meate to B bes^ defining faith to be 
 a full perfoafion of the love of God which is onely applicable to 
 fome ftrong, well gro'wne Chriftians, and not to the toeakel' 
 In the difcoverie of the Chara&ers of Grace , fuch are often 
 held fortb,as whereto none attaine but the elder y and flrongtr 
 fort of Believers, which ate (tumbling blocks, and grounds of 
 Temptations, anddoubtsto the weaker. Paul (ho uld be made a 
 Patterne in this cafe: I Cor. 3. 2, 1 have fed you with milkf, 
 and not with meate, for hitherto, ye were not able to beare 
 it . 
 
 2 Vfe* Let not any foule be difcouraged though Graces are 
 
 weake at prefenf- , they will grow frronger and fhonger , 
 in the diligent ufe of all good roeanes, though thou feemefl to be 
 even overturned by Sathans Temptations , and thy owne Cor- 
 ruptions frequently,yet carry this in thy Mind: J (ballbe flronger. 
 And be fare to eye Chrifi all along, having once got a light of 
 bim , though thy fight be but weake, and dim, yet take heed 
 ofloofing it, and ftrength will come from Chrifi: often aBing 
 &f 'faith uponChrift, will increafs and Jirengthenthe Principle, or 
 habit of faith Though thou art not able to lay fad hoidupon 
 Ghrift wfth the hand of faith, yet if thou canft but touch him, 
 as it were,bat with the little finger of faith, venue will come from 
 him, to refrefii thy foule. Daily ftudy the Promises of the Ntiv 
 Covenanting ye may draw Milkeourcf thofe Breaflsof Confo* 
 larion which will feede,and ftrer.gchen all the Graces. iPet. 2. 2» 
 As neft> borne Babes,defire the ftneere milks of the word, that ye may 
 grow thereby . 
 
 But 
 
& Garden of Fruit-trees. 5 1 
 
 Bat fome foules Objed againft thernfelves that they doe not 
 grow,after long ufe of the meanes,they find little,or no growth 
 inG'race.It may be Anfwered, fure thou art miftaken.- for thofe 
 who often compiaine of the want of growth, which is their greife 
 and burtben,cerrainely fuch foales doe grow. Their clearer fence, 
 and fight of Corruptions, with bewailing of them, is a plains 
 Evidence of grotyth: compare what thou findeft now, with what 
 hath beene aforetime, and it will be more viable* Fruit trees \ 
 nor Branches cannot be feeoe to grow,yet compare their breadth, 
 and bignejfe now,with what they were aforetime, and their growth 
 wiilbemanifeft . 
 
 The foureand twe ntieth Obfervation in Nature. 
 
 WEe fee by Experience, that Grafts dofooner, and more 
 generally, take hold of the flocks , receive fap, and life from 
 it, in a mild fpring , when there is calme wa v me leather , gentle 
 JhoVoers t andnorp and then feme Vvarmegleames of the funne, then they 
 doin avoid fpring, ^cben there are m*ny Frofls, dryjharjh, Eaft 
 wind}; fucha feafon keeps bael^mofl Grafts, and hinders their 
 fpringing, and (hooting forth, as they would do in calme wea- 
 ther . 
 
 This is another Similitude &c. and fiiadowes out unto us this 
 Trcpofttioni That 
 
 Difcoveries of the Love of Go A to foules prepared for £hrift 3 does 
 haft en their clofing voiih him. 
 
 When a foule lies under convictions for fin,and apprehenfions 
 of the wrath of God forit, the^r^r thivgis then, hoty tomake 
 fuch a (oHtetoclofeVfithi and lay hold on Chrifi , whereby onely 
 he fhill have true peace, and fo proceede unto growth, and bea- 
 ring fruifs.Now if fuch a one live under a harfh Miniflry where 
 the Law is frequently thundred out againft finners, with little 
 mixture oftheC/ofpell, or if he meete with pajfages inboo\es, v 
 which nacurdly beget feare^orconverfe with unfhlfall friends , 
 who (through ignorance of fuch a condition) will be apt to ceo. 
 fure(as fobs friends ) & lay on more load upon his fpii it, fuch a one 
 hereby maj be kett a great while from clofwgtyiihChrift', and 
 
 G 2 retting 
 
52 The fpritudl ufe of 
 
 refting on him by faith s Whereas cleare difcoveries of the 
 kindnefleand ioveofGod inChrift, ofreadineiTe to receive t and 
 bid welcome fuch a one, is the mod likely meanes, to bring the 
 fouie to dofe with fhrift.SNhzn the 3000 were pricked in their 
 hearts at Meters Sermon tsftls 2. ths esfpoftle encourages them 
 with good words, wd afTurance of entertainment, and acceptance, 
 and thereupon they believe and re ft on Chrift .• So when the \ayhr 
 was ftruck with terrors, Paul immediately encourages him to 
 beJeive,andheforthwith clofethwith £hrift,/4tlsi6.2_i.~ When 9, 
 fouleis wounded and bruifed with the fight of fin, andapprehen- 
 fionsof wrath.then the foftOyle, or 'Balm cftheGofpell fhould 
 be powredin i ^/^«35.4.S<i^ to them that are of a fearefull heart, 
 beftvong, fcare not, behold your God will come with a Recommence , 
 lot will come and fave you. This is the very Office of Chrift, and 
 his Miniflers. Bfay,6i,i.To preach glad tidings to the Meeke , to 
 bind up the Broken hearted, to proclaims liberty to the Captives , and 
 the opening of the Prifon to them that are bound , to proclaime the 
 acceptable ye are of the Lor dp comfort all that mourne &c. Now the 
 reafon hereof is , becaufe foules lying under apprehenfions of 
 wrath for fin, their doubt is mainely of Gods willingnefie to 
 fave them,they know not bis ?T*7/inthe thir>g,tberefore to labour 
 to convinte them of his hove, ofhttwillingneffe, and readiness 
 to receive,and fave tinners that come to him by Chrift, is the greae 
 bufineflein cafe ofdiflrefle and doubting.. 
 r- y This being fo, then thofe who goe about to direct, and com- 
 
 1 ' e ' fort weary foules laden,and burthened with the fenfe of fin and 
 
 wrath, are to beware how they preffe the duties of the Law to fuch 
 in order to fettiement and peace ; feme are ready flill (in fuch 
 Cafes) to tell the partie diftreffed in confeience, youmuft walke 
 firitlly , take heed of Sin,give not way to corruptions, not fo much as 
 any motions or fiirr in gs of them Within, and be diligent in all duties 
 of hearing the word t reading^meditation &c.&tid fo put them on the 
 duties of the Laft^r Covenant of Worths, whereby to get peace, and 
 acceptance with God,making God appeareas a hard Mailer, and 
 thereby lay one burthen upon another, in (read of eafing of rhem; 
 Whereas the fWeete refrejhing Promifes of the Covenant of grace, 
 the infinite Love of Qod in our pretious Lord fefus Chrift , fhould 
 
 be hid open, and held forth clearely to fuch a weary foule; 
 
 that 
 
a Garden of Fruit-tree^ 53 
 
 that fucb a one might fee the great workes of fulfilling theLaw,and 
 fatisfying divine Juftice, done to his hand, in cafe he lay hold 
 upon *nd>clofe with Chrifi bj faith ; This is the ready way to fettle 
 fuch a foule, to make the Graft take hold of the (lock, from 
 which it may receive life . 
 
 This the Apoftle (hewes us by a plains inftance,GW.3- 2. Reed* 
 vedje the (pirit bj the worke of the Law, or by the hearing of faithi 
 as if he ftiould fay,ye know this courfe was taken with yoa, before 
 ye beleived ; The doctrine of free grace was preached to you, 
 ye heard that Juflification came not by the workes of the Law, 
 but by faith in Chrifl ; even fo it is now. 
 
 Secondly, Soules thus in diftrefle ought to harken to, and - Vf - 
 receive offers of grace when they heare them made, and not to * '* * 
 put them off, and negieft them, as very many doe . They will 
 not , or dare notclofe with the free promifes of grace.becaufe fay 
 they,I wretch am not worthie, 1 am not fitted.my heart is hard, 
 my Corruptions arcftrong, J am full of fin, my whole life is 
 nothing but fin: Why thou (halt never have it otherwise, fo long 
 as thou ftandeft off, and refufeft to clofe with fhiflAf thou think 
 to get thy heart into an humble, melting frame, and temper, 
 and to fubdue Corruptions, and then to clofe with Chrifl, thou 
 wilt but deceive thy feife, that s not the way; but feeing thy 
 want ofChrift and thy.finfull undone condition without him , 
 and a true defire in thee to get out of it, and to be fanclified as 
 wellas juftih>d,to be faved from fin, as well as wrath: let it be 
 the very fis ft thing thou doefl to venture 00 him, and clofe with 
 kim,iccept of hi* iove,and doe but touch him by faith, and thou 
 flnlt find thy felfe healed of all thy fpirituall difeafes, but without 
 this courfe ( notwitbftandiftg all shy owne ftri&neiTe , and en- 
 deavours in duties) thou wilt find thy felfe to be worfe and 
 worfe . 
 
 The five and twentieth Obfervation in Nature . 
 
 THe Wusbawimanhavhg laboured ,andtafyn much paines about 
 £n grafting hi s V/ants, fyhenlin the fpring) he fees they begin 
 to hd 2 *ad fhoote forth jfchen he (cbferving of them ) perceives they 
 
 have 
 
54 Thefpirituallttfe.of 
 
 haveclofed Voith and taken bold of theftock^he is glad of it f this is 
 3 ground of tejoycing to him, he is very, well pleas'd to fee 
 the good fuccejfe of his labours about his Frttit- trees- 
 
 This di (covers to us: That 
 
 A iinners Repent ance % and do fmg with Chrifi, caufahjoy both m 
 
 heaven art d Sartb. 
 
 The Lord,the great husbandman is alwaiesat worke, labouring 
 to draw fouies :o Chrift , by allwaies and meanes j And his 
 fab* husbandmen the UHtnifters of the (jofpell, and all his people 
 (one way or other) do labour in the fame worke,ihey are Co-Voor» 
 kerstfelloty labourers with him in this great Gofpell worke ; Now 
 when they fee their works and labours have good fuccefle, they 
 rejoyce,and are glad . 
 
 i.The people of God rejoyce when they fee unregenerate perfons 
 come in to Chrift, becaufe they are renewed themfelve?, and it's 
 naturall for every Creature to be glad of, and rejoyce in its like. 
 Secondly; they rejoyce at the conversion of others, becaufe they 
 The Reafon\ love God , and Love is alwaies glad at that which pleafeth 9 and 
 makes for the beloved.God hath honour hereby ,and therefore they 
 rejoyce . 
 
 Secondly ,thefaithfull Minifiers of the Gofpell rejoyce at' the 
 converfion of fouies, not only upon thefe accompts, but alfo 
 becaufe they are mote immediately concerned in it,ic is their pro* 
 per worke and bufineffe, to winne fouies to Chrift : Now whea 
 they fee the focce lie of their Labours they fay as theApoflle, 3 
 Epiftleof John 4./ have no greater j&y then toheare that my Chil- 
 dren Vealke in the truth. 
 
 So the Apoft!ePaul J i77?<?/. 2* ig*rehatis our hope , our joy , our 
 Crowne ofrejoycing,are notyee &c?v» 20, For ye are our glory & joy. 
 Thirdiy.Thegood Angels alfo rejoyce when finnersturnetoGodj 
 This our Saviour tells us; Luk* 1 5. 7* 1 fay untcyou, that/ik?m[e 
 joy (hall be in heaven over one (inner that repentetb &c* verf, io# There 
 is joy in the prtfenceof the tAngtls of God over one [inner that re* 
 feateth . 
 
 F ourthly i God the father, fonne, andfpirit rejoyce at the Repen- 
 tance of finners. The fpiric (tofpeake after the manner of men) 
 
 is 
 
a Garden of Fruit-tree f, tff 
 
 is faid to be gre ived with fi^when foules rejed his motions, fo on 
 the contrary when they hearken to him,he is well pleated. .Oar 
 Saviour having taught his difcip!es,and brought them to undsr- 
 ftand,and receive the things of the kingdoms of God he rejoyced, 
 Z#£«l0.2i« In that home feftis rejoyced in Jpirit &c . A'fo we 
 fee how God the Father is wel pleafed when linnets come in to 
 Cbnft , this is at large made out unto us in the Parable of the 
 'Prodigal /, Lȣ, 15.20. the father feeing his fonne returning to 
 him, how glad is he of it, he ran to meete him, and fell on his 
 neck and kitted him:j:hen there was Muficke,and dancing and fea- 
 fting, &c. all this is but to let us know how welcome a foule is to 
 God when itreturnes from its wandrings: Efay. 6%.\<y. I will re- 
 joyce in ferufalcm,and joy in my people ^ and Zepth. 5.17. The Lord 
 thy God in the midft of thee is mighty: he will(ave,he mil rtjoyce over 
 thee With joy\ hee will reft in his Love , he killjoy over thee with 
 figging. I Vf 6 ' 
 
 O what encouragement is here unto finners to come in,and clofe 
 with (Thrift by faith/ they (hall be welcome,freely welcome^ not 
 onely fo,but heaven & earth willf as it were)ringwith joy at their 
 coming in : ft will not be onely matter of joy unfpeakable and 
 full of glory unto tkemfelves , butalfo it will be joy to others: 
 LMtn and Angels, yea the blefled GWhimfelfe (fpesk ng to our * 
 apprehenfions )is faid to rejoyce at if.Now therefore be wife in this 
 tbydayfiand not out one Moment longer; wilt thou not accept of 
 a Crowne and fyngdome when it is offered thus freelyr'if thou wilt 
 not,then know for a certainty, that God who now tels thee he 
 will be glad of thy coming in) Will lattgh at thy deft mc~lion >and 
 mock? when thy feare comesSPro.i .26. 
 
 Secondly: Let all the people of God labour in this glorious , 
 worke of winning foules to Chrift , that To Jerufalem (the 2 ^* 
 Church of God)may not only be a quiet habitation , but alfo fil- 
 led with joy, when the redeemed of the Lord /hail returne, and come to 
 Zion with fongs^and everlafting joy upon their heads, they fh all obtains 
 joy, and gladneffe , and forroty and fighing fhall fee away, 
 £:ay 35.)0. 
 
 Ttm is aTo'Tchftone forthofe whoprofelTe, and pretend an 3 Vfe*- 
 intereftinChr ft doeft thou rejoyce when thou feeft or heareir of 
 any comminginto Chrift, that the kingdome of Chrift is daily 
 
 growing, 
 
5 6 The ffirituall ufe of 
 
 growing,and tncreafing in the addition of Members to hisChurch? 
 Does it refrefh thy fpiric to fee and heare that balinefe, and the 
 power of godlinejfe gets rooting in the hearts of many in the world, 
 that Jefus Chrift is ieceived,and multitudes clofe with him ? why 
 then this is & found and (are evidence and ground that thine heart 
 is upright with ^od,thatehou haft an intereft in Chrift, and are 
 thy felfe ingrafted into him • 
 
 But if it be an indifferent thing to thee what others doe in 
 this refped , whether they come in or no j if they doe not, thou 
 art not moved, it grieves thee not to fee men rejed Chrift freely 
 tendred in the Gofpell, nor if they receive him, and clofe with 
 him, neither art thou glad of it, thou doeft not rejoyce in it.If the 
 habituall frame, and temper of thy fpiric be thus , I dare boldly 
 affirme it, thou haft not clofed with Chrift thy felfe as yetg 
 thou art not yet ingrafted into him, therefore consider thy wai'es, 
 and make haft to get into Chrift, delay not a moment lon- 
 ger . 
 
 The fix and twentieth Obfervationin Nature. 
 
 CO Inanimate A S the Husbandman takes pleafurejn bis fruit' trees, fo they (a) 
 Creatures are £\ Q n ^ fence) take pleafure in him : He delights to Vealke among 
 whentbe 6 * *"' t ^ 3sm * < ^' c0}lver f e Wlt ^ tbemfij msditation\(earching out theirT^atures^ 
 forme Naturall An & virtues, for Profits, and advantages Jhe takes pleafure in their fbade* 
 Ads vigoroufly. {in heate of [ummer)and in their rvhol/ome fruits in their feafons\^4nd 
 The fun reioycetb the fruit- trees alfo may be [aid to take pleafure in the husbandmans 
 torunbkcourfe catering, drefflng,a»d manuring\difcovered by their increafe % flrong, 
 biMdniPH- 6 <wd vigorous fbootes, pleaf ant B I offomes, and multitudes of fruits from 
 ley x'(when a- pare to pare . 
 
 frSuiiyjb^ This is^nother Similitude &c. andfhadowes out unto us this 
 
 laugband(tvg } Proportion. That 
 
 5Py.6f . < 3. There is affteete fellotyfi)ip t & communion bttweeneGod t &his People, 
 
 Proportion God delights in them, and they delight in him . 
 
 Believers ftand in the neereft Relations to God that can be, 
 As a peculiar people unto God I Tet*2.9.As childrento a father 9 Rom. 
 8. 1 J.*s4sfreinds to God the father \and Qhr i ft James z.zi.Iohn 20. 1 7. 
 
 As 
 
a Garden of Fruit-trees. 5 ? 
 
 As Branches to theroote t or floe l^: as brethren to Chri$, as hires 
 andcotheires with (fhrifi; As a wife to the husband; as members to 
 the htadyi^or.6- iy.h 9 i 5. I4^»r.4.i7. Ephs»$.zo* In ail which 
 there is a wonderful! union,and neereneffe fet forth betweeneGod 
 and his people ,where('n there is delight ^and Communion. 
 
 The Apoftle John (peaks this for himfeife^aad others, he tels us 
 wrm their Experiences were in this; ifchn i. 3. That %hkh 
 ws have feene.and heard Jsclare ws unto you , that ye alfomay have 
 Ftllowflnp With us, and truly our Fellowship is with the father, and 
 with his (onneJefusChrift. The people of God they rvalue with 
 Godj, Now can two walke together, and not have Communion t Gtn - 1-*-i>6-9* 
 &.FellGty!hipQTit with anotber?5urely there are many inrercourfes, z re - 7,I 7* 
 and fweece paflages betweene freinds when they walke together.* 
 There are ^usfiions % 6c Anfwers 3 ido\vlng of doubts,&Communi=» 
 cations of fecrets betweene intimate freinds as they walk together. 
 N*y thete 3re not only thefe Relationi{tnznt\oriQd)&c& friendlywal- 
 king together withGod,but there is alio aO habitation ,or dwelling 
 together withGod,yea morejtherei3an/»»<a?^//i«^;God^// in his 
 people,& they dWellin him:$o that here is a ground of Communion 
 indeede- iCor.6.i6\l Will dwell in themtyalke wthemlhnd ^01.4,16. 
 He that dfyelleth in Love, dwelleth in God, and God in him* As 
 the fpirit u in believer s- y fo they are in the fpirit Qal: 5.25. Here 
 then roufl needs be communion ^andfelloWfhip .From thefe Re lations, 
 and neercnefTe to, and union with God, fprings this Communion, 
 which includes love, joy, and pleafure on both fides: unfpeakable 
 love flowes from God unto his people: yea , God tikes pleafure , 
 and rejojceth in his people . And they retorne Love to God 
 againe 5 they slfo take pleasure, andrejoyce in God: the fcriptureis 
 plentifull in thefe things? P/". 147. 11. The Lord taketh pleafure 
 in them thatfeare him'.fo againe, Pf. I4P«4* The Lord taketh pleafure 
 in his people: and Zeph.$. 17. The Lord thy God in the midfl of 
 thee is mighty, he will fave, he will rejsyes over thee with 
 joy j he tyiil reft in his love , he Will joy over thee '^s>ith ftngmg. 
 Here is the mighty God taking pleafure in his people , rejoycing 
 with )oj % and fmging,reftin% in his Uve % \he believing foule . This joy 
 is not the joy of ordinary freinds, but of thofe of neereft relation, 
 the bmband.andthetyife, and that (coo) at their efpoufalls- Efay* 
 6z. 5* As the "Bride grooms njnyceth over the BrUe^o fhall thy G d 
 rt Joyce over thee * H Sue 
 
5 8 The fpritnall ufe of 
 
 Seeing there is fuch a feliowfhip between God, and bis people, 
 what an invitation, and encouragement is this to all to come into 
 this Gardtn the Church of GWfiuch who weary themfelves in 
 feeking for content.and pieafures in the empty things of the world, 
 may come huhsr,3nd befatisfied: O fa-j not we (hall loofe our 
 pleafores if we turne to be precife, and religious, then farewell 
 delighc?,and joy, then we muft imbncefadneffeand CMelancholy, 
 infteadof our <&7*V^/\0 confider how much thou arc mifhkea 
 that judged thus; tail and try, and thou wilt find ic otheiwife. 
 Thy pieafures now out of Chrift, are but Jhadctyes of Pieafures, 
 and there is nothing but bitterneffe attending them: thefe are 
 reall^and [ubftantiall pieafures ,unfpeakab!y more,and better in the 
 meafure, and nature of them, and yet they are buttafts, and be' 
 ginnings of Etemall joyes and fatisfatlions . All the Wales, and 
 walkes in this Qtmmunion withGod, are wales ojpleafantnejfe i and all 
 the paths s are peacefProv* 3 . 1 7. 
 Here thou maift walke,or fit under the great ss4ppletreeJefusChrift 9 
 
 6 be refreshed with his lbade,&fruitsjHesre what the Churches 
 cVcome toher,C^2.3.7 [atedown under his fhadow With great delight, 
 &his frmtwasjweete to my ta/?;yea,here is wine to the fruits to make 
 up a com pleat BanqmtiV^, He brought me int^.a Banqueting boufe, 
 where are mixed wlms^and wine of the Pomegranate >Prov, Q> 2. Cant. 
 8.2.Ifthou delight in feafts, andBanquets litre tbey are: A feaft 
 of fat things^of wine on the Lees well refined: Efay.i^6. And the 
 Matter of ihe ieafl faies freely , Eat Ofreinds^drin^ejea drinke a> 
 bundantly beloved Cant ^ - Therefore delay not to come, thae 
 thou maift be filled with this joy , in Communion with 
 Cod. 
 
 2. Vfe. VVill God indeede dwell with men, and have feliowfhip and 
 
 Communion with them? Does the roly and blefledGod (who 
 cannot have any addition of happinefle by the fociety ofajl tbeAn» 
 gels in heaven) condefcend fo low as to have Communion with 
 finfollraan, and to dwell with him, as Tfal. 132- 14. This is my 
 reft forever, here will! dwell for I have a delight there: O how 
 fhould we ftand admiring at his free grace and love , And 
 what an Engagement is this unto us to walke humbly, and holily 
 with him. ? 
 
 Let 
 
a Garden of Fruit-trees] 59 
 
 Let us therefore be diligent to improve this Communion^ it will 
 be our unfpeakabie happineflfe, and Gloryjbereby we are enabled 
 to act for <jod,wkh chearefuinefTe and life,all duties areeafy,and 
 pieafantto us, which when this is wanting we carry on but hea- 
 vily * ThU lifts us up above the reach of Temptations , the 
 flefti is downe, or very much weakned: Sathanis at quiet , in 
 refpedof many faggeftions which at other rimes he drives on, 
 and watches his feafon when he perceives the foule in another 
 frame jbeing in Communion with God, the World is then under our 
 feete, the daintiefl baits of it, have no taft nor relifh with us : 
 Yea she gresteft ourward Afflictions (which when Communion 
 is wanting doe load us, and prefTe us downe and which break the 
 bark,orthe heart of others) thefe are but light, and are eafily 
 borne. By clofe Communion With God we live in another fpheare,in 
 another world,rhen the Common fore ofChriflians who improve 
 not Communion-, it lifts Beleivers as it were into the third heaven, 
 where are unfpeakabie pleafures, and contentments, and the foule 
 faies,its good being herejO that I might build, and reft here, 
 and goe no more downe from this Mount; from this Mount the 
 foule takes a view of the holy Land , and fees the beauty, and 
 glory of !t,the foule fees it felfeinterelTed in the kingdome, and 
 all the riches, and Treafures of it. O the Priviledges that Chrift 
 hath purchased for the beleiving foule, they cannot be numbred 
 norconceivedl for God is the great everlafting Portion of his 
 people, and in him are all defirable things, finable to the foule, 
 which are plainely laid open to the eye of the loule, the fpiric 
 fealing an affurance thereof unto it in this Communion, 
 which is fatisfying and filling more then can be expref- 
 fed j 
 
 Seeing fuch a FelloVefiip and communion may be had with Cod 
 through Chrift, many Cbriftians (reall believers) have reafon 
 to take (hacne unto themfelves for that they lookefo little after 
 it; It is deare to the eye of difcerning Chriftians ("who know 
 by Experience what this Communion is) thatfome have little Cow- 
 munion with God, for their Communion is fo much , and fo 
 hartily with the Creature, that it cannot be alfo with God ; 
 their (peeches y their daily courfe, avd praUi\es t their deadwjfe in duties % 
 their cold^and harthfte affingfo' God % for the imereft of Chrift , their 
 
 H 2 flarven 
 
 iWu 
 
6o The ff irk mil ufe of 
 
 fiarven love to the faints,and their eager y anA ferious pur fait e of their 
 o"$me interefts, in things oftheVPorld, fo highly prifing every petty 
 advantage, a* that rather then they mill part with it, they ^oill let the 
 glory ofGod.thsGofpell^Religion^ndall Gods people y faff er blemifbts, 
 and difparagtment . 
 
 Thefe (jndfuch like) things I fay, doe too clearely evidence, 
 and prove their Earthly mindednejfe, and consequently. that they 
 are at a diflancefrom God,snd enjoy not this Communion: For ic 
 is as pofiible that darknefle fhould abide upon the earth where the 
 funfhin.es, as that earthly minds dne^e t and fimminion with (jod t 
 fhould abide together . 
 
 The feven and twentieth Obfervation in Nature. 
 
 Henth Husbandman hath a plantation in hand t or intends 
 to enlarge his Orchard,he does then remove 3 and take out cf the 
 way fyhxtfoever hinders his worke-,all the Jhrubs 9 and Imjhes, wild trees \ 
 hedges, fiones , Roots, or ^hatfoever elfe lies in the way. Hee lets 
 himfelfeandhis Workmen to cat them downe,roote them up t and remove 
 them f hat fs he may plant his %r ait* tress. and have a Urg e , and /aire 
 Orchard . 
 
 This may teach usi That 
 7 J J Who, or "whatfoever hinders the inlargmem of the (fharch of Cjod, 
 
 he Will certain? ly {and fometimes with great anger ) takeout of the 
 way. 
 
 The workes and people of God in all ages , have beene oppo. 
 fed by his enemies, and hindred for a tircse,but Cjod hath ever ap- 
 peared for his people* and helped them,and carried on his deflgnes 
 bythem,andfor them,and tbeoppofers of God, and his people 
 havebeea brought downe . 
 
 When God went about to plant and enlarge hU Church the peo* 
 pleofJfraelli how did he cut downe, and deHroy their enemies 
 that Jhindred, and oppofed them? When Kings and Princes, with 
 great T^ations rofe up againfl them to flop the plantation , thefe 
 great Mountaines were levelled before them, thefe tail Ceders, and 
 barren trees were hewen downe on every fide; Vharaoh, and his 
 
 great 
 
a Garden of Fruit-tree r. 61 
 
 great Wofk,Sjhon and 0£g with their Armies ;one and thirty Khgs^°f ]Ai " 
 with much people, even as thefandof the Tea for multitude, 
 /e/iwA 1 1 . 4. all fell before Ifraell; If Rivers or Se^j hinder t heir f 
 pj Gage, they (hall be dried up, Armies of G jams arecut off^K-io.iz* 
 i»f»,and ^fz/?7// arc made fubjeifl unto them. 
 
 Who art thou O great CMountaine before Zerubbahel, thou (halt „ » 
 become a p!aine 3 Zecba.^*j» God will Ovsrtume^Overturne i O'ver- 
 turtle all perfons snd things that oppofe him . 
 
 The husbandman will cut downe.and roote up the mid Plants, 
 and trees, with Anger, and great fury, he will come with fire, 
 and fword,a$ the Vrophet fpeakes E fay. 66. 14. 15. The hand of the 
 Lordjhdl be knotyen among his fervants, and his indignation towards 
 his enemies, the Lord tyill come with fit e, and his fharets like a 
 Whir le* wind vet f.16. For the Lord will judg with fire , and With his 
 ftyord all flefb ■•.. 
 
 Now when (hall this be, even when the Lord will enlarge 
 his Church, when he will extend peace to Ierufaltm as a River, 
 and the glory of the Gentiles like a flowing ftreame,Efay*66> 1 2. When 
 the iflts afarre off.Jhxll declare his glory among the Gentiles, and 
 brethren Jhall be brought out of all Nations; When the new hea- 
 vens, and the new earth Jhall be made, the (fhurchofGcd enla*gid 3 
 and beautified^aswe may fee at \mge,ver/ u ig.io.&c, TheTrcphec 
 ^frr»ji<i6fpeakesiikewifetothefamepurpofe s c.2 3.i9. 10. Behold the 
 temptfi of the Lord goeth forth in wrath,0*a violent whir leiVvhd Jhall 
 fall downe upon the head of the wicked',and the anger of the Lord 
 fhxll not retume % untill he have executed, and till he have performed 
 the thoughts of his heart. 
 
 Now when tbefe things fhiSl be, we fee verf. 20. in the latter 
 dates (when God is enlarging his £hurch)ye Jhall undtrftand it 
 ft aim ly. 
 
 This Cod will doe, that he may gloriHs himfelfein (hew'ng 
 forth hsspc^^and \ujlice towards his enemies,^, love to his people. 
 
 This may informs us, and give forne light unto us, why all the j yr (y 
 deftruffions,eonfuftons,z®d overturnings (which have beene in r befe 
 Nations of late yeares) have come to paflej and wh3t other Nati# 
 ons (hall fhortly find aifo. 
 
 The great husbandman is about the enlarging of his Orchard, 
 according to the many Vrcphtfies , and frmiftt in his word ; 
 
 H 3 Now 
 
6 z The ff kit mil ufe of 
 
 Now therefore who, or Vehatfosver hinders and fhndsin the way, 
 (hall certainely be remove dzT 'he f. 2. 7. The Lord fkall canfume him 
 (^ntichrift) with the fpirit of his mouth , and deflroy him with the 
 brightntffeofhis coming. . 
 2 V[u As this is unfpeakabie confolation to the faints ( who are the 
 
 goodly fruit-trees in this large garden ) lo is the fame caufe of 
 trembling, and aftoniihment to ail oppofers of Cod in this his 
 • great worke : Weeds and wild Plants in a garden, that's carefully 
 ordered,are not fo fare of plucking up, as thefe petfons are of a 
 downfalijfor God hath faidit;he will plant his Garden, and 
 enlarge \x,uponan high mount aine ', andeminent, and thenupgoe 
 the \x>ild trees, though never fo high and beautiful!, Eztle^ 17. 
 24 . Then all the trees of the field /hall know that I the Lord have 
 brought downe the high tree , have exalted the low tree , have dryed 
 up the greene tree t and made the dry tree to flourift, I the Lord have 
 yp fpeken it and have done it - 
 
 3 ' e Thirdly; yee that fiand out, and oppofe the worke of God, be 
 
 perftvaded to deliver your felves from deftruclion;* beware of 
 hardneiTeofheart,intefu(ing to fee ,and acknowledge the hand of 
 God in his difpenfationsj for as Vharaoh, the inhabitants of Egypt t 
 Canaan , and others, were deftroy'd in their oppofition sgaioH: 
 the plantation of eld; fofhallit bewithallhardned finners in thefe 
 latter daies:Thofe being but Types^nd fktdowes of things that (hall 
 come to paflfe in thefe gofpell times' Heb. Jo, 1, The law hath a 
 Jhadow of good things to come. Not only as they fhadow forth fefttt 
 Chrifi,hut alfo the things ef Chrifl in his Church . 
 4 Vfe. And further:Let this Caution Gods owne people, It is to manifeft, 
 
 and evident.that even fome of them doe in Tome refpcfls, oppofe 
 the worke of r God- t we fee whatdivifions, and contentions there are 
 amongft them, about the things concerning the kingdome of 
 ChriftsNow therefore take heed of oppofing the mind of Cod; 
 for if he be difpleafed with thofe who help not the Lord againfi the 
 mighty • will he not be much more difpleafed, with thole that op* 
 pofe him, and are againft him, in any of his deftgnes} It may hinder 
 See Vug. them of much good which otherwife they might have received 
 from Cod, yea, it may provoke Cod to cut them off, though 
 his owne people'. The husbandman fomecimes cuts off a Branch^ or 
 
 cuts 
 
a Garden of Fruit-trees, 6$ 
 
 cuts downs even a good tree, when it is in his way, and hinders any 
 of his great worses: fo doubtleiTe does the Lord with fome of 
 his owne people when, through any worldly intereft, or corruption, 
 they oppofe his defignes-.Therefore take heede,fpeake not, neither 
 act againft God and his waies through mifhkes, be. not 
 unwife, but nnderftand what the will of the Lord is 
 E$h.i- 17. 
 
 The eight and twentieth Obfeivation in Nature, 
 
 WHen rare , and excellent fruit* trees , and fruits are firfi 
 f{newne % there being but few ofthemjhey are more valued, and 
 tftetmedfhin afterwards when they are multiplyed, andgrowen com- 
 won; though the commodities are ft ill the fame in goodnejfe » as at 
 firfi. 
 
 This (hadowcs out unto us, That 
 
 The cenftant tn)vyment of the be(i things from God {through corf p * • 
 ruptions)mak£* themle{fenoted,andefteemed- (h A A 
 
 The nature of man is much taken with neVo things which ha- 
 ving beeoe a while ufed, and enjoyed, are not afterwards of fo 
 much value 'with us, t hough the things remaine in their former 
 goodnefTe ,and worth , health, peace and plenty, and the befit good 
 things of this life, yea, the Ordinances ofChriftjociety ef the faint /, 
 (eafcns and oportunities of grace , fpirituall priviledges, are leffe 
 cbferved and priced afcer a long enjoyment of them, then at the foil; 
 Though CManna was a pies fant bread, Angels roode s and the peo- 
 ple of Jfraei were well pleafed with it for a time, yet afterwards 
 they were weary of it Numb. 21.5. Our [ottle loatheth this light 
 bread . 
 
 When the people of God fee the neceflity and want of good 
 things,and earneftly pray, and waite for them, and at length god 
 fatisfies their defires, and gives out the mercy longed for, then 
 they are much taken, and affrclted with it, their affeclions are 
 raifed,and enlarged, they put a price.and value upon ir, greatly 
 rejoycing in it, and blefling God for itj But after a certaine 
 
 time 
 
64 The f fir it nail ufe of 
 
 time of enjoymsntjths heart is lefle upon ic 5 ihe ftreames of affe- 
 ctions are abated 4 and run lower, there is not chat frequent notice 
 taken of it, neither when the mind reflects upon it ( at any time) 
 are the affection? ftirred,as at the firft when the thing was new* 
 
 Thas it is eyen in refpeft of the htft , and choice}} things wee 
 receive from God in this life, even the ft 'nee ^and evidences of the 
 love of^od, pardon of (injntrefl in Chrift^ fommunisn With the fd' 
 ther % and the fonne through the fpirit\ Thefe things after an hub it nail 
 longen]oywentofthem,&xck& noted, and kite afM the heart, 
 then upon their firft difcovery.fo rhat Cod expoftulstes with bis 
 people about it, he takes notice of ir,and observes the difference 
 of the frame of their fpiriss, what it hath beene and what it is 
 afterwards, ]er.2Z. J remember the kjndneffe of thy ymth % the love 
 of thine tjpoufales &c. when thou Veenteft after me in the mlder0 
 **//*: time was when we were, firft acqu8inted,and thou didft take 
 me for thy Lord, and Husband, thou didft exprelTe much love 
 towards me,and waft affected with me,and we walked clofely to- 
 gether, but now the cafe is otherwise: vphat iniquity have ye 
 found in me that ye are gone farre from msj&h&ve walked after vani m . 
 ty,&are become vaine, as verf.$. thou haft loft thy firft Love ,Rev»l.4» 
 
 God is fometimes nece(fitated(as we may fay)to take away, and 
 deprive his people of Priviledges, and good things, that fo by a 
 ienceof the want of them they maybe brought to fee their un- 
 thankfu!neffe,and take more notice of tbem.and prize them more 
 when they are reftored . 
 
 The experience of Chriftians make this too evident ♦ 
 i Vfe> The consideration of this (hould humble us, and make us 
 greatly afhamed, feeing that many kindnefles from God, many 
 ads of his Love will not draw, and fallen our hearts to himfelfe, 
 but that they grow cold>andftuggifhax\dtt the richeft enjoyments: 
 Let us often refleel upon it,and loath our felves for this unanfwe- 
 rable frame of fpirit towards God, men cannot beare untbank- 
 falnelTe, or flighting without withdrawing the mamfeftationsof 
 their love: Now fuch as cannot out of an ingenuous Principle 
 rcturne love.forlove to God, yet letthefeare ofioofing enjoy* 
 mentsmake fuch peifom value andprize them. 
 iVft* Secondly,this hatefall frame of fpirit of negletling.or undervalu- 
 
 ing pmious things from God , fhonld make us long for the 
 ft ate of glory , when the foule will be in a conftant frame 
 
 of 
 
a Garden of Fruit-trees. 6$ 
 
 frame of fervent love to* God, and be as much sffecled with 
 enjoyments afcer thoufands (millions) of yeares, as at the 
 
 ficrt. 
 
 The nine and twentieth Obfervation in Nature. 
 
 A LL the {ip and nouri foment that the branches cfaTree have, 
 jl% they receive it from the Roots , the boughes and branches have 
 not W jot cffap t but What arifes from the Roote, there Would not be 
 one Bud, or blojfome, or fhoste, or leafe, or fruity upon the Tree, 
 if the Roote did not give up fap to murifh^and maknaine them* 
 
 This (hidowes out unto us, That VrctoCt'on 
 
 On* life, growth, firength, and all our [piritttall ABs y are from foadowed. 
 Qhrift . 
 
 Chrift is the Roote, and dock of everie believer, andallfpi- 
 rituall life,and habituall grace is from him : and not only the 
 feede, habits, and principles of grace, but alfo all the workings 
 and actings of grace are from him , as at firft wee were ftarke 
 dead in finnes and trefpafles unttll he gave us life, fo being quick- 
 ned by the fonne(who quickneth whom he will) we cannot grow, 
 not ad but by influences from him, 2 Cor. 3.5* We are not faf* 
 fie lent of o<t\ -ft Ives to thir^anj thing as of cur f elves , but our fuf- 
 fciency is of God . A good thought is the lead and loweft act 
 of grace, and yet that we cannot doe ofourfelves, good thoughts, 
 and de fires are as Buds orB ! o(fomes upon a tree, which (hew them- 
 feives before the fruits, Now if trees cannot bud of themfelves, 
 how much leflfe can they brin g forth fruits 4 
 
 Which alfo our Saviour plainely tels his difciples, Jo. 15.5. With' 
 out me ye can doe nothing \ Hee doth not fay without roe ye 
 cannot doe any great thing.but nothing at all* And Hofeai^, 8. ' 
 from me is thy fruit found: The Spirit ofChrifl is the fpring, and 
 Roote of. all our fpirituall life, it is the ftrength, and power of 
 the foule in believers, <>s4fts 1.8. Te ftall receive powet when the 
 Holy Ghofi is come upon you. Paul afcribes his life, and power to 
 Acl, all to Chrift,6V.Z.20. 1 livejet not \but Chrift livtth in me, 
 
 I the 
 
66 The fpritndl nfe of 
 
 the life fthkb 1 ncfa live in the fie (h.l live by the faith of the fonns 
 cfQod.And Vhil. $.11,1 can doe all things (iauh \\t)b\it\l\% through 
 fchriji that firengthimthme , 
 
 1 Vfe, From hence believers (fome more efpecially.ofmore eminent 
 
 pans and giftsjmay fee caufe and reafon to take (hame unto them- 
 feives, who having performed any duties, or done any thing ac< 
 cording to the mind of Chrift, are ready to take the giory to 
 themselves , and thinke too well of themfeives. O this is* a 
 generall corruption , an accurfed thing in the mid'ft of us, 
 this fecretly workes more or leiTe in every heart , but in fome is 
 more apparent to themfeives and others, although (it may be) 
 thefe kind of workings of heart declare not themfelyes plainely , 
 nor arife not up in the foule to cleare, and pofitive alTertions, 
 (hewing themfeives in their owne colours, and proper natures, yet 
 they may bedifcerned to be in the heart, by their fruits, e fetls , 
 and con(eqmnces , which fpirituail eyes difcernein themfeives, and 
 others. 
 
 2 Vfe. Let this teach us to have an eye upon Chrift in ail wee doe, 
 
 and take heed of going about to ad in our owne ftrength, either 
 in performance of dutie§,or mortifying Corruptions : Believers 
 generally have recourle po Chrift in reference to their fatvation 9 
 and deliverance from fm^rath, and he 11^ bat doubtleiTe there is 
 ignorance of this point in many, and a great neglect in moft, in 
 refped of eying Chrift,and drawing vertue from him by faith, as 
 to particular atlings ali along in their lives; were we but well 
 intruded in this point , and did but pradife accordingly (even 
 to looke unto Chrift with the eye of faith, to fetch life, ftrength, 
 Afts i$. quickningand all things needefulljwee might then^f mors unto 
 [inland live more mtoGedy and might find our felve^ ftnngthned 
 with might in the inner man by his glorious power ^even the fpirit of 
 Chrifi : Col. I. II. which voorheth in his people mightily, 
 
 3 Vfe . W» 1 9- 
 
 Seeing all Is from Chrifi let therefore all be #0*0 Chrifi: give 
 
 the giory to him, feeing the life, and power to Aft is frcm him* 
 
 Thisis a thing of moftfp.ciall concernment, and to be noted by 
 
 every believer; that as we doe all in the ftrength of Chrift^ who is 
 
 the efficient caufe of all the good we doe, fo alfo, we fhould doe 
 
 all unto Cbrift^s the finall Cat*fe i unto whomjand for whom we 
 
 doe all . Thefe 
 
a Garden of Fruit-trees^. . 6j 
 
 Thefe two fpeclall things the Apoftle hues downe in one verfe 
 
 'Phil. 1 .1 1. He prayes that they may abound in love and be filed 
 
 wnh the fruits of righteoufneffe^which are by lefus Chrift , unto the 
 
 glory andpraife of God. 
 
 It is the properry of hypocrites t & temporary believers ,to aft in their 
 cvone ftrength^Gifts^and parts,andfor themfelves t X.h€M eye is fecret* 
 ly upon themfelves, Hof. 10. i. Thefe are empty Vines-.thej bring 
 forth fruit to themfelves, their fruit is as good as no fruit , be- 
 cause for th?mfeive?; but trees of the Lords planting bring forth 
 fruit , that he may be glorified, £(ay 61.3. and Row.7.4. That m 
 fbould bring forth fruit unto God . 
 
 The thirtieth Obfervation in Nature . 
 
 FRuit-trees that fpre^d much, and groty low t neere the ground, (uch 
 (moft commonly) bring forth more, and larger fruits then high 
 Trees that afpire up into the *Aire\ (ome Reafons may be given for it, 
 See Lo.'Ba.T^at. Hi ft. 
 This fhadowes out unto us, That 
 
 Humble Chriftians bring forth fane more^and fairer fruits , then Vropofitioa 
 fuch whofe fpirits are lifted up. fhadwed. 
 
 Lowly Chriftians are like the lower grounds under hils and 
 neere Rivers,upon which when moifturedefcends from the hea- 
 vens,and from the hxWsjt refts there, and makes the ground fat, 
 and confequently froitfull . 
 
 Who was a more fruitful] Cbriftian than David the holy 
 Vropbet? he was fo eminently fruitfully and brought forth fo much 
 andfo lovely fruits, as that God himfelfe commends him, and 
 faies he walked in all the commandments according to his owne 
 heart(one particular excepted)and we fee of what a fpirit he was . 
 in refped of humility t P fal. 131*1 .z.kJMj heart is not haughty , nor 
 mine eyes lofty y my foule is even as a leaned Child • 
 
 And the Apoftle P<g«/difcovers a fpirit of more then ordinary 
 humility,! Cor. 1 5 9./ am the leaft of the Apofiles^ that am not mute 
 to be called an Apoftle. And as though that were not low enough, 
 he deicends lower : 1 am le(fe then the leaft of all Saints, Eph.i. 8. 
 But now, who among the A poflles, ot Saints brought forth more, 
 
 1 2 and 
 
68 The ffirituall nfe of 
 
 and greatter fruits then this lotylj tree: In nothing was he behind 
 the Verjcheife Apoftles, 2 Cor. I2,ii.yea; he laboured more abun* 
 dantly th?nthejf a// i iCor,i$.io. and 2Cor,\ 1.23. Jn labours more 
 abundant » 
 
 The Reafoos hereof atefirfttkumble Chrtftians have more from 
 God then others;becaufe neerer Gad : they walke who (Jod, and 
 Communicates himfeife to them more then to others, as familiar 
 friends communicate fecrets one to another*, fo God to the 
 humble joule that walkes with biro,'H* giveth grace to the humble : 
 iPet, 5 .5. He will teach the hnmbe his way.Tf. 259. but he refifieth 
 the proud, and is a fane off from him. 
 
 Secondly, Humble foules are communicative^ they make others 
 partake with them of whatGodhath given them(Chi!dren J &every 
 one plucke fruit from ti low Tree) and he that watereth Jhall be wa» 
 teredalfohim r elfe t c Prov.ii t 25. the mora 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 J 
 that it may ftill bring forth more fruit . 
 
 Thirdly, Humble ChriftUnt are mofl fruitful!, becaufethey 
 receive profit from all perfons, from all things , they can learne 
 Something from everie thing, from the meaneftjrom theworfl 
 /whereas proud persons thinke they have fo much that they'i learne 
 from none)fo that their advantages are both from heaven and 
 earthy materiall trees growing low^neere the gronui have not only 
 the [un andraine t haz alfo fome advantage by che refleclion of 
 the funne beames from the earth .• which"" **// , high Trees 
 have not; 
 1 Vfe. Let us be much in love with this precious 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 mofl 
 glorious Pafterne herein LMat.i 129-Learne of me,for I ammtek^ 
 and lowly in heart : Then (hill wee bring forth much and great 
 ffuits,whereby ourfather, will be glorified, whereof our felves, 
 and others may eat and be filled. 
 
 Bat here we may (land, and take up a lamentation for what 
 we fee contrary in many of the people of God in our daies: 
 efpetially among thofe who have bell parts and abilities, O 
 w'ha: (hall we doe to pluck up this poyfonous deftru&ive Plant, 
 
 from 
 
a Garden of Fruit-trees] 6$ 
 
 from am6ng the good plants of grace . 
 
 This has a fhong hold even in many of the Saints, and is like 
 that oncleane fpirit CMat t 17. 21. which goeth not out hue 
 by Prayer and fafiing : with great driving , and much 
 adoe. 
 
 Confider.-is it no Argument againft it in that it puts us a farre 
 off from God , in refped of that clofe communion we might 
 otherwife have with him:and fecondly,it almoft ftifles, and chokes 
 our graces that they cannot ad;, at they doe in the humble foule. 
 thirdly: it blemifties, and cloudes exceedingly ( both in the eye 
 of God, and humble foules) the beauty and honour of Chri- 
 flians in this life, and kffens their future glory, and that for 
 ever. vr , 
 
 This is for the honour and-praife(as well as for the confolation) »'7' ' 
 of humble faints-,who though they be lowed, perhaps, in out* 
 ward refpeds here in the world, yet are they in higheft efteeme 
 with God ; their humility exalts ihem,even in the accomptof 
 God, and fuch low fpreading Trees, fhiubs in their owneeyes, 
 when they are tranfplanted into the Garden of God in Paradi[e r 
 (hall be fet upon ihe higbe (i ground, and be the talefi Trees there, 
 farre above many of their breachren who in this life are farre above 
 I them . 
 
 The one and thirtieth Obfervation in Nature, 
 
 THe Koote , body, boughes, branches, and [mall Twigs of a Tree 
 make but one body, or fub fiance : Though the parts of aTree are 
 diftinguijhid.and kyowneby [ever all name 'S^and are divided into mul- 
 titude of boughes, branches , and twigs , yet all of them are fo 
 joyned together as that they make up but one boty 9 or fub' 
 fiance . 
 
 This fhadowes out unto us That 
 
 fejits Chrifi and his people , (though multitudes of difiinB Propo/ition 
 perfons, fet) are fo united , as that they make but one (badoWed. 
 body . 
 
 Chrift is the head of his Church: and ail believers being 
 united to him by faith, are his Members.- iCor. 12. 27. Te areCol.i t i2. 
 
 I I the' 
 
yo The fpritmll ufe of 
 
 the body of Chrift , andmembers in particular. Now there is not 
 
 a more reall union in nature between the head and the Members 
 
 in the body of a mat?, or betweene the Roote and branches 
 
 of a tree, then there is betweene Chrift , and his peo» 
 
 pie. 
 
 When CbrSfl afcended ap on high he gave Gifti unto men for 
 the perfecting of the faints, the body of Chrift, Eph.q, 12. That thej 
 may grew up into him in all things which is the head, even Chrift, vsr[ % 
 ijo From whom the whole body fitly jojned together , and com* 
 pacled , by that which every joynt fapplynh, according to the tffet 
 Flttall working in the mea[ure of every part, mallet h increafe of the 
 body, unto the Edifying of it f elf e in love, verf.16. 
 
 Chrift calls himfelfe the Vine, foh.i$.$. that is the bottome, 
 fiock^or Roote of the Vine,*nd his people are the Branches ; Now 
 as the Branches being joyned, and made one with thcKoote doe 
 receive all their nourifhment,fap and life from the roote where- 
 upon they increafe, and without which they would certainly die 
 and wither, fo it is betweene (fhrift and his people; there being a 
 real!, myfticali union and onenelfe betweene this head and this 
 body fife and nourifhment is given from the head to the body, Co/. 
 2.1 p,from which (head) all the body by )oy nts,and bands \ having nout 
 rifhment mini fired , and knit together , increafeth With the increafe of 
 God* 
 Wfel ^is is a ground of unfpeakable confolation to believers; for 
 
 this being fo,Chrift will certainely take care of them; bz'mgjeyned 
 to Chrift, and one with Chrift they fliall have life, murifbment , 
 jirength, Vcifdome, righteoufneffe, holtne(fe,&\\ good things in this life, 
 out of his folnefTe,and glory hereafter for ever: it cannot be 0- 
 therwifejforin fo doing Chrift provides for himfelfe, and glori- 
 _ 1 fies himfelfe s his Members being one Veith him . 
 
 e ' From hence a fpirituall eye may fee a very great dignity t beauty 9 
 
 and glory put upon Believers (though the meaneft.)'cVtf*0* and one* 
 mffe with fuch a glorious perfon pats a fpirituall glory upon them. 
 A great Prince marrying a meane perfon, b\? that union,an,honour 
 is derived upon the party, according to the dignity of the Prince. 
 Now believers are married to Chrijl,jer.^ a <\,and Rom. 7.4. and To 
 made one with him, as the husband ant! the wife are one: fothat 
 
 what 
 
a Garden of Fruit-tree f. 71 
 
 what dignity and honour is upon the husband, is alfo, in a pro* 
 portion,upon the wife . 
 
 The two and thirtieth Obfervation in Nature. 
 
 ^THeRooteofa Tree does continually give up fap 3 and nourifhment 
 to the Boughes and branches all the yeare long^as ft 'ell in win- 
 ter to prefer ve life, as in fommer^ to caufe growth and increale : But 
 nofapatany time defcends from the Branches to the Roote'. (though 
 mcft men t upon mifiaken grounds{of this See*pag)conceive>and affirms, 
 that Jap defcends in lAutumne into the Roote*) 
 
 This ftisdowes out unto us, That 
 
 As roe have our life, ank all from Chrift , fo Vt>e are continually Pfopoftton 
 receiving neVe fupplyesfrom him, but can adde nothing to his infinite ftAdofted. 
 perfections . 
 
 Chrift is the Roote, as his people are the Branches, and from 
 thisRoote, Tap continually arifeth to maintai'nelife , and caufe 
 growth and fruitfulneffe: ]er. 17.8. Be fhallbe at a Tree planted 
 by the water s^and that fpreadeth out her roots by the River , and /halt 
 not fee when heate comtth, but her leaf e /ball be greene y and {bull not 
 be carefullin the yeare of drought, neither Jhall cea(e from ye tiding 
 fruit. So.Pfal.1.3. 
 
 And Efay.^. 1 1 .The Lord /ball guide thee continually, and fatis* 
 fie thy Joule in drought t and make fat thy bones, and thou [halt 
 belike a Watered Garden, who r e waters failenor. Thej Jbtll not 
 hunger .northirfii &C» by the fprings of water fball he guide them y 
 EJay.49. I C. As willows by the water courfes i Sfay .44.4. 
 
 Here we fee are continuall fupplyes of nourishment to the 
 fou\'.Rivers{\ve know'jzte continually running, and fountaines ^ or 
 fprings are continually fpringing; thefe Gardens are watered with 
 waters that faile not, as the"pfophetfpeaks,Efay. 18. u» Though 
 the body, and branches of a tree were as full offapas the barke 
 would hold, yet would ail be foone exhausted, and fpent, and 
 the branches would wither and dye 3 if there were not acontinuall 
 fupply from the Roote 1 So though a man had the habituall grace 
 
 of 
 
72 The fftritiull ufe of 
 
 of all beleivers on earth yea ofallthe Angels in heaven (as much 
 as a Creature is capable of ) yet could he not thereby 
 perfevere , all would be fpenc wkhout new fupplyes front 
 Chrift . 
 
 Our Saviour tells us thefe fupplyes never faile, but are conftant 
 foh. 4. 14. Ifhofoever drinketh of the water that ljballgive 
 him, fhall never tbir ft? but the Water that I Jh all give him, [hall 
 be in him a Well of water [fringing up into everlafting 
 lift. 
 
 We fee then fupplyes from Chrift zxzconftant, mh continuall 
 which believers draw from him ♦ 
 
 By thefe Rivers ,fireames t and fprings of Water s are meant the 
 conftant fupplyes the believing foule drawee, and receives from 
 Chrift by his fpirir. As we fee:Jo/j.7 38,39. He that believeth onme % 
 cut of his belly fhall flow rivers of living water . This [pake he 
 of the fpirit. And for the fecond part of the Vropofition'.we can 
 adde nothing to his infinite perfections^ lob. 22.1,2. Can a man be 
 profitable toGod, is it gaine to him that thou makefi thj waies perfect: 
 Andagaine Job.tf.jjfthou be righteous y what givefi thou him, or 
 ■whatreceiveth hee of thine hand. 
 
 So the ApoftJe-. Rom. 11.35. Who hath firfi given to him ,and it fhall 
 be recompenced unto him againe . 
 
 God is no gainer by us: All his Creatures together doing 
 theirutmoft,canaddenothing to his effentiall glory ^ which is infinite, 
 and therefore admits of no additions. Bnt we are (aid to glorifie 
 GWjWhen we manifeft, declare, andfet forth what he is^ when he is 
 made knowne among his Creatures ^and wor/hipped . 
 
 This fhewes us whither to goe for conftant fupplyes of jw/*- 
 dome, Strength, quickying, and all (jifts, and graces ', even to fefits 
 Chrift the (lore- houfe, and Treafury of all good things* Tor it 
 pleaftd the father that in him JboxldallfulneJfedWelt, Col. I. 19* 
 There is fomething in Chrift, futeable to ail, and eveneoftbe 
 wants of his people^which they may obtaine of him. 
 2VIe. This being fo , it (hould make us low in in our owneeye?, 
 
 and afcribe all the glory to Chrift Jn all the good we have, in all 
 the good we doe: what haft thou, that thou haft not received „• 
 J live (faith Vaul)yet not /, but Chrift livethin me. Gal. 2. 20. So 
 Peter and John having healed the man, put off the honour 
 
 from 
 
 iVfil 
 
a Garden of Fruit-trees] 73 
 
 from themfelves upon fbrift , Ails 3. 12? \\>hy looks ye fo 
 
 earnefllj on ut ? his nam?, hath madt this man flrong &c 
 verf. 1 6. 
 
 The three and thirtieth Obfervation in Nature. 
 
 'THeVvaies and Rules of the husbandman in Ordering his fruit* 
 trees are very firangeto moft people^they wonder to fee many peeces of 
 his husbandry in his Orchard^and Garden: feme things feeme contra" 
 rytoreafon, when he cuts doVpne or diggs up fome fairs large Trees, 
 b?antif nil to look? upon, andfetsfmallVoeake plants in their fiead y a*d 
 cuts off fome large tops , and branches of others , and grafts onely 
 a ]tw littlt twigs in their rooms , wrapt about with a lump of clay: 
 "when in winter he prunes his trees t andlaies their roots bare, and (cores , 
 and cuts their bodies ^on every ftde % thefe(and many fuch likf VQorkes)are 
 ftrange to mtft menjbej have other thoughts of them then the Hufband* 
 man hath , 
 
 Thi* (hadowesoutuntous, That 
 
 The difpenfations of God towards his Church . are contrary to the » t /• < 
 t j i a 1 • 1 u Proportion 
 
 judgments ofmoft people tn the world. fbaLwed. 
 
 In all ages, God and his waies have beene oppofed, by the 
 corrupt reafonings of men: Man in his natural! eftate cannoc 
 fee God,nor the thing* of God,he perceiveth them notjbecaufe they 
 are fpiritually difcerned, iCor. 2.14. 
 
 When God is about that great worke to bring foules out of the 
 fnare.and bondage of Sathan, into thtglorious liberty ofthefonnes 
 ofGoa- t his waies whereby he does this, are very flrange to mofi 
 men : when they fee poore creatures bumbled, and broken in 
 their fpirits, and (ometimesalmoft diffracted through feares, and 
 apprehensions of wrath , or under any other great ftffliftion, 
 what doe mod people thinke of fuchi 5 fee, fay they, how Cod 
 plagues them for their Hypocrify, they will prefently cenfure them 
 for diflfemblers .' David being under Afflictions, became^ won$ 
 der,amonfter untomany, Pf.ji.j. they jadged God had forfaken 
 him,verf.iiiEven fo it is now . 
 
 K And 
 
74 The ff kit u all ufe of 
 
 And as It is thus in refpeft of particular perfonsjfo alfo iri 
 refpecl of the whole Church, When God went about to enlarge 
 Lttiio.i. his Church in the daies of the Apoftles, how contrary were his 
 waiesand difpenfations to the judgments of mod then; In fending 
 forth a few poore plains men (two, and two) to preach the 
 Gofpelj and win fou!,es?hpw did the Learned protidVharifees, and 
 moft of the people, defpife them, and perfecute them from 
 city to city/They underftood not what God was about, no more 
 then the people of this generation. O how contrary are the difpen- 
 fations of God to the apprehecfions of mod in this age ! They 
 fpeake againft his waies,contradicTing,and blafpheroing ♦ 
 
 Yeathewaies of God are contrary to the apprshenfions of 
 many of the godly among #j,fome of them dire&ly oppofe God, and 
 his great defigne, others doe not , cannot pat to their hand to 
 further is, for they apprehend it not, they cannot clofe with it: 
 In their Sermons, Prayers, Difcourfes, the^j fpeak nothing of if, 
 lo promote it 4 nay (being darkoed through interefts, and 
 corruptions)they oppofe it,and fpeake againft it, and thofe who 
 carry it on . 
 
 The reafons hereof are cheifely thefe . 
 
 As for all natural! men, they judge of things according to car* 
 nail Principles, fence, and Reafon,now when the waiesof God are 
 not fated to thefe, they cannot fee.nor judge of them .• The na- 
 tural! man cannot perceive the things of Cjod t for they have no 
 iCv.ua. fpiriwall Principles . 
 
 Secondly.-Inthe people of God,rhere is much prids , and felfe* 
 love.carnalhnAsjntertfls&cwfokh (many times) fway their affe* 
 Elions much, and thereby their ludgmtnts are darkened, accor- 
 ding to the degrees of thefe corruptions: For as any foule 
 gwwies in grace,zndholine(fe,&od gets more of the divine 2(ature t 
 or Image of God, fo are the things of God more ,or lejfe raanifeft 
 tofuchaone. 
 
 Thirdly, God will be feene, and acknowledged in the world, 
 efpecialjy in his great difpenfations, therefore are his waies often 
 fo unfutedLso ftie apprehenilons of men^ but when they fee at 
 length, that God brings about his ends by them , which tbey 
 thought fo unlikely, then they admire.He will get himfdfe glory 
 in all his workings} by doing his worke^ his firange Vporke, and 
 
 bringing 
 
a Garden of Fruit-trees^. 75 
 
 bringing to paiTe his Aci,hisfirang aB % Efay.iZ 2 1 • 
 
 Hence we may fee the cert nine dorvmfall of dmchrtft, and all 
 his partakers all thf Enemies of G0d; becaufe the Waxes of God are lVff. 
 contrary to them,ind they know rhem not,thence it is,thit they doe, 
 and wiiioppofe God, and fight againft him, to their ownede- 
 (hudion ; Though the a*me of the Lord be made bare^nd hfted 
 up never fo high, and apparently in the world.in carrying on his 
 detents, yet thsy will not fee it nor acknowledge, they Kill not 
 behold tbsmjcflyof the Lord;€fay.26.io. FVben his handislijied 
 up they will not fee ,bm t hey (hall fee, and be afbamed, verf.lltfzid' 
 ned Pharaohs, with all the bind multitude, oppofers of God , 
 his waies and his people, (hall be (ac bftyall caft, as a 
 Milftone, ' into the midft of the fea, never to nfe 
 
 more . . . 
 
 Are the wales of God in the fea, and hispathes tn the deep Waters, ^ , 
 and his footfteps not k«owen, and contrary to the lodgments of moft y > ' 
 
 and is it too true , that many of Gods mm people ftumble at his 
 waies , and dtfpenfations, and in a fort,oppofe God, or no way 
 help forward his deftgnes; O then let us be earns ft with God for 
 mfdome from above, and his (pirit,to make out the mind of God 
 to us,not only to know the things freely given to us of Q od,but alio 
 to know what things are of God in the 'W or Id, to know the defigm 
 of God in our generation, that fo we may be fo farre from ftan. iCor.z.ti.z, 
 sag out againft it.as that we may comply with it, and help it on 
 with all our might. 
 
 The foure and thirtieth Obfervation in Nature. 
 
 THe Husbandman having great Plantations in hand, calleth none 
 to helpe him in his fpectall Works, about his Vruitttrees, but fuch 
 ferfons as have skill, and experience in the ftverall Works he (ets them 
 aboutlfor if he fbouldiwploy ignorant % andun{kilf all men about graf- 
 tingJnoculating,fetting y and ordering ofhisjoung trees, they Would 
 doe more hart, then good, therefore it is neceffarj his (ervants, andun- 
 derWorkmen (hould have (ome competent skill, and experience, in 
 
 the Vtorkj about Which he imployes them. . 
 
 This 
 
 K z 
 
7 6 The fprituall ufe of 
 
 This fhidowes oat onto us, That 
 'Proportion Thofe who have not the fantlifying fpirit >and grace of Gob in them f 
 fhadowtd* are un ^ 1 f 6r t ^ oe w^S 6 f the mini ft rj\ [neb bring more prejudice, 
 then advantage to the Church of God . 
 
 CMinifiers of the Gofpeil (they who are fo indeed) are Gods 
 Husbandmen,Co'Workirs,fellowlaborersw\thGcid in his Orchards , 
 and Gardens (his fhurches) about his fpirituall fruit-trees : 
 We are laborers together with God, I Qor.% % <)* Ye are Cjods husbandry, 
 ye are Gods budding: 1 have planted, Apollo Vratred, and (jodjfavt 
 the increafe, 1 Cor. 3 .6. 
 
 They are imployed by God, to open blindeyes, and to turnefeuks 
 from darknejfe to light , and from the power of Sathan unto <fjed, 
 Ails 26. 18. God gives them a Command, and Commijfionto 
 preach the Gofpeil to every creature; that is, to all mankind; to 
 teach all T^ations, and to 'Baptise them into the Name of God: 
 that isjlnftrumentally to ingraft fouhs into Chrift t to worke grace, 
 or holinetfe,the T^ature, Or Image of God, which is baptising them 
 into the T^ame of 'G W(the 2{ame ofGod.znd his Nature, being all 
 one)Chrift y *nd his fpirit (inefficient cau(e) being in them, and 
 with them; who fantlifies h:s people, f&/cȣ^ the Vtafhing of water by 
 the word,Ephe>$.26. InChrifl jefus 1 have begotten you, through 
 the Gofpeil, 1 Cor. 4.15. 
 
 Now whom God calls to this great worke , he prepares, and fits 
 them(in fome good meafurejfor iv 3 hepowres his fpirit upon them, 
 they have an untlion from the holy one, who teacheth thfm all 
 things, 1/0^.2. 20. Their wifdcmeis from above ^ames.7,- 17, By 
 this anointing of the f pir it, men ^xe Sailed iot the worke of the Mi' 
 niftry, bat without they are not fit; though they have humane 
 learning, and parts (which are of fpeciail ufe and advantage in the 
 Church of God, if fanftified) yet without the fpirit of fhrift, 
 *Qor.i,i4. men are i n darkneffe andcannot fee the things of God: They cannot 
 fay with the true minifters ofChrifi (who are chofen, called^ and. 
 fent)the things we have heard,andfee»e, declare we unto you, i]oh. 1.3. 
 Luk. 1.2,3. 
 
 When God called^ and fent, CMofes, Samuel, Efay, Jeremy, and 
 the reft of the Prophets, he fitted them for the worke : The 
 Apoft Us whiQ called, zxkdfent, had all a Mouthy and Vpifdome 
 
 given 
 
a Gay den of Fruit-tree f, 77 
 
 given them, Lh\^ 21. 15. That is, tht fpirit; this anointing was 
 powred oac upon them:T^fj Were indued with poster from on high, 
 
 As Jefus Chrifi the firfl Minifteroi the mV> Teftament was 
 fitted to preach, and publilh the mind of his father, fo are 
 his people, whom he calls, and fends for that parpofe : Now 
 fchrift was fitted by this anointing, Efay.6i:i»The fpirit of the Lord 
 is upon me.becauft the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tydings t 
 & c, and 6 fay 42.1. Behold mjferv ant, &c\ 1 have put my fpirit 
 upon him . 
 
 yind when Chriftfent forth his difciphs to preach the GofpeH, 
 how did he prepare them for it.even by the fame anointing, ]ob. 
 20.21,22. As my father fent me^fo (endlyeu, andhe breathed on 
 thtm»and f aid receive ye the holy Ghoft. Thus alfo the Minifttrs 
 of the Gofptll that futceede him ; they have the lame anointing , 
 which fits them with gifts, and graces, for this worke; what even 
 humane learning they have (more or lefTe)*^ anointing teacheth 
 them,and makes them learned in the great myflery ofgodlineffe » 
 \e[m Chrift the wifdome of the father, in whom all fulneiTe 
 dwells,and the fpirit of Chrift dwells in them; hereby they are 
 made able Minivers of the new TepamentiHoi of the Letter , but of 
 thefpirity 2 Cor. 3. 6. 
 
 Carnall men ( thoogh never fo learned) know not what they 
 fay, they have the letter of the word,but the fpirkuali fence is vailed, 
 and hid from them, through the darkneiTe of their minds, they 
 have ho infight, nor Experience in what they fay: But every 
 fcribethtt is inftruded nnro the kingdome of heavenjs like unto 
 a man that is an houfhoulcler , which bringeth forth out of hi* 
 Treafure-, things new,and old, Mat. 13 ^2. 
 
 True Minifters of the Qofpell are Embaffadors for Chrift, I for. 
 4.20. thty are alfo ft e wards of the MyfieriesofGod,iCor,^.i. 
 and it is required in ftewards, that a man be found faithful, verf. 
 2. May it not thence be concluded , that unregenerate perfons x who 
 cannot be faithfull,are unfit to be fitVoards t nekher are cmiufod by 
 God in this great worki} 
 
 -From what hath beenefaid, will is not followj That thofeare J^jfc. 
 no true LMiniftersof the Gofpell, who are ignorant of, and inexpe* 
 r kneed in the great works > andmyftery of Regeneration, who have 
 
 not 
 
7 8 The ffirituall ufe of 
 
 not the workeof grace upon their owoe heirts.They are Theeves, 
 and Robbers jcvho enter not in by the dan '(which hChrifl) but climbs 
 up (ome other way ,Ioh.io,i, Tbefecome to gntht fleece , and care 
 nocifthe/^ be (battered, and torne by the Wolves^ how can they 
 teach others, who were nevertanghuhemfelve^is he fli to lead 
 other s^cho is blind} Now the 2^aturall man feeth not, percHvethmt 
 fpir it uall things ^either can he \ becatife they are fpiriiually difcerned, 
 I Cor .2 .1 4. 
 . If any fhall Objecl, That "Judas was an mregenerate perfott, 
 
 Object ♦ an 4 y et f ent t0 p feac b >W ith the reft of the Apofllest It is aniwe- 
 red: That is an Extraordinary Example, and foretold many 
 
 Anjw. generations before; Now Extraordinary Ex ample /are not to 
 
 be pleaded in ordinary fifes; it was of ablolute fieceffity 
 that fuck a one fliouid be, that the fcriptures might be fuh 
 fllled. 
 
 Objecl. Secondly: If it be faid , Though men have not the fpirit 
 
 °f 9°d .though they haye notjovfc^yet having Learning, good gifts, 
 and Parts, they may doe good therewith in the Church of God : 
 It is anfwered : Although it be granted that carnall men in the 
 
 Anfw. Minifiry {having good Gifts^nd endowments) may doe fome good 
 
 thereby, does this prove they are therefore /»f far the CMiniftrj, 
 or that they are fent of God,God of his infinite ^> if domf^nd grace t 
 ordereth,and over*rulsth^i/ things y for good to his owne people, 
 even the very finnes of men, and Devills. 
 
 But further; Though foms good may be done by carnall Mini- 
 ftersjt cannot be denyed,but they do much more hurt, then good 
 by their carnall Interpretations % %nd Misapplications of the [criptures, 
 and bad Examples: Not having the fpirit, not being Learned 
 in the Mjfieries of godlineffe, nor being taught by Vpifdomefrom 
 abovejhzy pervert thefcriptures to their owne , and others deftru- 
 ction,2Pet.3.t6.they cannot fee the things ofGod t \ Cor. 2. 14/0 that 
 they deceive the foules of the poore carnall people, and lead them 
 blindfold to helhwhen the blind lead the blind y both fall into the 
 ditch,mio the bottomlefe Pitfo that as our Saviour bid his dijciples, 
 and the multitude^ take heede of the Leaven,or dstlrine of the 
 Phari r ees (who were fooks, and blind, as to the fpirituall under* 
 ftanding of the fcriptures) foalfo fhould we take heede of falfe 
 interpretations of the fcriptures t by carnall mm incur daies* 
 
 Doth 
 
a Garden of Fruit-tree?. jg 
 
 Doth not God reprove fand expostulate with) fuch for their 
 bold undertaking in this kind,pfal. 50.16: what haft thou to doe 
 to Preach my Lawes % or that thou Jhouldefl take my word in thy 
 mouthyfeeing thou hatefi to be reformed? See alfo fer. 14.14. and fer. 
 23. 20. 
 
 This informes us:That furely the time is at hand (and is not the 2 Ffe . 
 day dawned already?Jwhenthe Cjofpell CMinifiry (hall be purged, 
 the drojfe(carnall Minifters)ft\a\[ be cafl out,and the pure mettle 
 preferved, according as was Prophefted, Mai, 3* 1,2,3. when the 
 cMeffenger of the Covenant , ]eftu Chrifi f (hall come , and Kaigne 
 glorioufly in the Nations; hee will be as a Refiners fire , and (hall 
 fit as a Refiner jind purifier of filver, hee (hall purifie the fonnes of 
 Levi vtrfi.ignorant (cmdalous per fons(who make the facrifices of 
 the Lord to be abhorred,(as Elies [onnes)\hz Name of God , and 
 hisGofpelltobeblafphemed,and true LMinifiers defpifed, and 
 reproached)ihefe (hall be cad out as unfavory fait, and a true Mi- 
 nijby fet up,and encouraged, 
 
 js not this the wcrke of this da)} Let them therefore who 
 are imployed therein, take heede of doing the i&oyke of the Lord 
 negligently , butimploy, and improve their Talent of Authority 
 faithfully ,and diligently ,for their Matters intereft : And let all 
 the people of God be earneft with God to carry on the works 
 himfelfe, with his owne hand, by his titone fpirit, otherwifs 
 Infirumentt may labour to no purpofe, in this or any 
 Other worke: And that God would more , and more purifie 
 his oVpne people, even thofe who are mofi pure; for in them there 
 hmuchdrcffe yet unpurged out. Though I take this to be the 
 moft proper, and genuine meaning of this place, yet not with 
 cxclufionof the other . 
 
 This points out unto us,who are the true Minifiers oftheGofpell, - 
 even all who have received the anointing of the //W7>,& are taught ^ 
 ofGod^ the truth is in fefw, that are called and fent of God, and 
 approved by his Church and people to that Office and work*'- Thefe 
 are the true Minifiers of the Gofpell of fori ft; thefe can fpeake 
 of the things they have h:ard } &nd Jeene, lfob, 1.3. they bsve skill, 
 and experience in the things whereof they (peake: they have 
 the tongue of the Learned ( though feme, jt may be,noc much hu- 
 mane learning ) and know how io fpeak a Word m feafontohim 
 
 that 
 
8 o The ffmtuall ufe of 
 
 that is weary $ becaufe they have afountaineof light, and truth* 
 and Veifdome within them ,he dwells in theon s in whom are all the 
 Treafares of wifdome, and knowledge, Co/, 2.?. being filled with all 
 thefulne(TeofGod s out of which he fills his people, who receive 
 of him grace for grace^md Site changed from glory ,to glory, by his 
 fpirit r iCor.$.i%. 
 
 Thefe are workmen that needs not be afhamed, rightly dividing 
 
 the word of truth, \Tim. 2.1^ 
 
 Oiyecl. lf itbe objected; ]f CMinifters of the Gofpell have bat little 
 
 humane learning, how will they (land themfelves, and be able to 
 
 maLinuintihcTrfiths ofGod^gimd Learned heretkks, and enemies 
 
 of Chrift ? 
 
 Anfw. Icis anfwered: Regenerate per /Win whom Chrift dwels (land 
 
 (a^Icistrue.thabeftofGods people, Upon | fir er grounds, and are more fafe from 
 
 (Mimfters of ibe Gofpdi, and others) (a) damnable Berefies (chough they have bat 
 
 IZI u ,V°&"i wr *7- CT 9 ,< '« ,BCTI j little A»»ii« Learning, znd but weake parts) 
 as tdey are fubietf: to fome (tunes and .. fcU a 1 j u r *l 
 
 infirmities in their comer fatiotis: But then the ^ learned car nail perfon in the 
 yetch3tpr0Mi/r^Jb.i6.i$.fliallbe ful- world j becaufe they ftand by the Tower of 
 filled. That the fpirit of god [hull lead God, the other , by a humane poWerl Chrift 
 bis people into all neceffiry truths. hath undertaken to keepe them; none are 
 able to pluck them out of his handjthe £***.?, the powers of hell 
 (hall not prevaile againft tbemj it is not poffible any fhould 
 deceive the Elett, Afat.24.14. 
 
 And though they cannot (perhaps) maintaine an Argument 
 in a (cholafticall way , yet they can maintaine it in a better Ways 
 that is, according to fcripture, the wordofGod, which d^oelsin them 
 flenteouflyjn all ^oifyome; thereby they have confuted, ( and fo 
 Hiall hereafterjtheir adverfariesjtf** of the mouths of Babes, and fuck* 
 /*/sgi(thati5,rnenof defpifed parts with the carnal! world) God 
 hAth ordainedJlrength,Q\Qa to the ftilling^nd filencing of the Snemy, 
 Pf.S.1. 
 
 Hath not God faid this againe, and agtine.m feverall expref- 
 fionsf why will not men(even fome of Gods owne people)believe 
 krbur. bring a difparagement upon the Veifdome of Chrift, and 
 upon his people.by their contradictions, that fo they may fet up 
 (iecreclyj fome thing of their owne: fee what the Apofile Taul 
 faies to this purpoie (and beware of holding the truth in 
 unrigrneoufoefTe) 1 fir. 27. 28. God hath chofen thefoolifb things cf 
 
 the 
 
aGarden of Fruit-trees] Si 
 
 the world, to confound the wife; and the Weakf things of the World, 
 to confound the might j things ; And vile things\and things that are dtf- 
 ptftd, hathCjod chefen, and things Which art not t to bring to nought 
 things that are • 
 
 Though the camall wijdeme of men accompts the Vrajns, 
 di\cour\es,\Argumtnts t Qifts y and attainments of the faints, and 
 all their Wale s,x.o befooli/h^eakf^vile^aine &c. yet even by thefe • 
 (the potver,&nd fpirit ofChrifi being in them) God will confound, 
 and bring to nought cbeir High things t ihe\t great things ,aod break 
 downeall t heir firongholds, for thefooliJhriejfeofGodfas men coodc 
 fooli(hneiTe)tV Wiferthen men t and the iveaknfffe of God is Jlronger 
 then men^Cor.ij,}. 
 
 it is cerrainely the Wifdome ofihefl<Jh,an& not that which \sfrom 
 above, to conceive, that none bat men bred up in Vniverfities, 
 me fit to pnach the Gofpell offhrijil For the Word and fpirit , are 
 able not only to make men wtje unto falvation, but aifo to make 
 the man of (jod (Regenerate men) ab[olute t and throughly furnifhed 
 ftnto this, and everiegoodWor^e,z Tim. 3. 15,16,17. els how are the 
 words of rhe tsfpofile true? 
 
 Thefe things being fo, then Cjovemours and Tutours in every 4 V[i. 
 focietj (where this grea.t worke is intended) (houJd make it their 
 mainebufioelTetoinftrucl the youth in the things cf the King- 
 doms of god y and to be infl'umentall for their Ingrafting into le/ns 
 CW/?,without which they can never be fit % nor able OHinifiers of 
 the T^wTeftament, though they have the highefl attainments in 
 Learning and parts that the nature of man is capable of . . 
 
 There is great care taken to enlarge the faculties and to gaine 
 fpiritttall gifts and parts ( common as well to the Reprobate as 
 the £/e#;)by ftudy^nd exercifes^nd all meanes poffible; whereas 
 the truth is,theatt3tnement of thefe without a Principle of grace 
 together with them, does but make men more blind in fpirituall 
 ehings,tnd makes the boults t and barrs of corruption the Jlronger , to 
 pjut out Iefus Chrift: As it was with the learned , but camall 
 Gracians(to whom Chrifl and the things 0} Qhrifi were fooli/hneffe) 
 fo it is with learned unregenerate men in all ages; Therefore this is 
 thit unum neceffarium,thzi one neceflary things Principle of grace, 
 without which all humxne learning and parts, are but as an empty 
 found, and to be accompted (as allthings clfe) butzsdung and 
 
 L drofe 
 
82 The fpritudl ufe of 
 
 d'ojfe to the faving Experiment all knowledge ofChrift;thh men will 
 readily acknowledg in the Notion, and common apprehen« 
 
 4 (ion, O bat why is the Praclicall Judgment fo contradi* 
 
 $Vfr. c1ory . , 
 
 Notwitbfkndingwhat hath been faid,let none that are godly take 
 occafion hereby to entertaine too high concepts of themfelves, 
 - and of their abilities to teach, andinflrucl others in the things of 
 God,upon this ground^ becaufe they are regenerate ->%r\d haye the 
 fpirit, and upon that accorcpe be fo ignotanciy confident of their 
 abilities, as to defpife, or neglect any meanes for their growth,and 
 increafein z\\ gifts and graces, as conceiving they have all know* 
 led g immediately upon their interelt inCbrJit.which yet it may be, 
 is very weak*) and littlest us take heed of thinking more highly 
 of our felvesthenwe ought to thinkt:but to thinke foberlj ,ac* 
 cording as God bAtb dealt to every man the meafure of Gifts ^andgra* 
 c(S\ and let us labour to improve our Talents, great or fmall,more 
 or few, and to lay them out for the beft advantage, both of out 
 Mafter,of ourfelves^and others; Even to the glory of God, and 
 proband edification of one another . 
 
 Neither ought men/rom what hath beenefaid,totike occafion to 
 defpife, or undervalue humane Learning, and farts, which are of 
 lingular ufe in the Church o/GW.when fanfltfied, and joyned with 
 gr/$C€i&nd holinejfe. 
 
 There ate very many in fiances, not onely in former ages, but 
 alfo in this prefent generation of Mmifters cf the Gofpell , and 
 othets^Mtn eminent inhumane Learning, and farts , and in grace 
 alfo, who have beene and are great, and fpeciall Injlruments im- 
 ployedby God, for the deftruclionof dntichriftj&tid the enlarge 
 mentfind building up of the Church of God, 
 
 The five and thirtieth Obfervation in Nature. 
 
 TUe husbandman Grafts all the wild Plants that he brings 
 into his Orchard^None but engrafttd Trees muft grow there $ 
 2^one mu ft be Pruned, and Ordered^ but they mufi alfo cert*wtlj be 
 engrafted) being vtild^ and naught by nature, he engrafts them 
 withfome good t and choice fruits ^thermfe they mil bear e fvn>er 9 bitter, 
 and ftnpleajant fruits. This 
 
aGarden of Fruit-trees] gy 
 
 This Is another Similitude of the (late of fpirituall fruit-trees 
 whence we learne. 
 
 That none but Engrafted Trees graft in Gods Orchard the T r6 P 6 P ti0 1 
 Church. Mdewcd. 
 
 ThtMyflicall hmbandman takes pleafure in none bat fuchss are£»i 
 graft? dTreet fox htforzEngraftingthty bring forth fruitsd'fhftfull 
 to him,therefore,vil3 that be done they are not within the Walls of 
 his Orchard the Church invifib!e,and (oe not in his £Va, and Love, 
 Though many feeme to be within the garden ench/ed, yet they are 
 not, And chough it may in a fence be faid, That many are in tk 
 Qhmchyvhich are not of the fburchi That's only in a Gene- 
 rail acceptance confidered as vifible profeflors, yet taken ftrictly, 
 fto ungrafted Trees are either *» t or of the Qardeninclofed. 
 
 The Grafting here fpoken of 'is Regeneration or the New birth, 
 Thismuftneceflinlybe don, ere any can be fit Plants for Gods 
 OrchardyLuk/;.?}*! fxcept a man be borne againe t hee cannot fee the 
 kingdome of God, Joh-i^. And againej^£. 15.4. Asthebranch 
 cannot beare fruit of itfelfe,exceptit abide in the vine^ noe more 
 can ye 9 except je abide inmeThe Apoftle fiiewes us this Engrafting 
 in plainerearmes: Rom. 6.5. We are Planted together in the /ifyeneffe 
 cf his death and Rom, 1 1. 24* fVe are Grafted contrary to TSfjture 
 into a good Olive tree* 
 
 By this Engrafting is that Vnion, that believers have with 
 Chrift whereby they doe as really 5 and truly receive fpirit, (*p % life, 
 and power to grow, and beare fraits 5 as the branches of a Tree doe 
 receive fap, and vigour from the flock, and Roote by which they 
 increafe.and beare fruits ♦ 
 
 Thefpirit, on Chrifts part,and/<«/fj& on ours, are the tjes, and 
 Bonds otihvs unioHjWe fee the neceUity of both: Without the fpirit 
 ofChrift, Wean none ofhis> Rom.S.g.and Without faith it is impojff 
 ble to pleafe bim,Rom. 1423 fo that its certaine the husbandman 
 will not admit of any into his heavenly Orchard, but fuch as are 
 Ingrafted Trees . 
 
 Kencewemay conclude,thatir.any perfons deceive themfelves,! Vfe. 
 whothinke they are of the Church of God,when indeedethey are 
 not, becaufe they were nevttingraftedfhty live in blind nefle,and 
 content themfelves with gronndlefTe perfwafions of their being 
 
 L2 in 
 
84 Thefprititdlnfeof 
 
 in Chrift within the wall of his Church, when as yet they are unt 
 graftedTrees^hsy have a forme of godlintffey but want the power 
 of it.zTim.z^. fuch are in a fad cafe, for not being within the 
 Wall of Gods inclofed garden,thty are out of his care, and prote- 
 clion(otherwife then by his common providence)tbey have none 
 of the fpecia!!, and peculiar priviledges of his engrafted Trees. 
 O labour to gst into Chrift . 
 
 The fix and thirtieth Obfervation in Nature. 
 
 Ome fruit-trees bring forth fruits roughs and of a bad colour, and 
 'of ahar(h,and Jharptaft, and yet thefe fruits are more Vcholfcme 
 for the body then fome other fruits which are fmootb , beautifall 
 to looks uf>on,a»dftoeeteto the t a ft, for all fharp s and bitter things 
 an ab ft er five, and deanfe the boty from dull, and pbhgmaiiquehu-* 
 mours, Cohere as ftoeete things much u[ed fluffe up and choaty the paffat 
 ges of the body • 
 
 This (hid owes out unto u? this Proportion : That 
 T r °/ !° n T ^ e fruits of fpirituall fruit* trees tohicb are harfh , fharp, and 
 JhadoVeea, bitter are (for the moft part Jmore profitable then fuch as are mild , 
 and pkafant '■ 
 
 The words ana 1 dealings of Parents towards their children, and of 
 onefreind towards another which are fometimes tart and /harp, 
 ofuallyworke better effects then indulgent, and f moot h dealings, 
 which u(ual!y cockers up and imboldens children in licentioufne/Fe 
 Pro.2g,lj t corretl thy fonne and be /ball give thee reft % yea he /hall 
 give delight to thy foule . 
 
 The common faying \s\fpare\ the Rod and (pill the Child, where- 
 as feafonable re proofes,and due correction reftraines corruptions 
 from breaking forrh. 
 
 The fad example of Sites fonnes is fufficient to prove this, 
 whofe mild, and indulgent behaviour towards them era. 
 boldned them in dsftrudive courfes, the miferable con- 
 feqaences whereof were upon his whole family, i SamX 
 2.30, 35- 
 
 So 
 
a Garden' of Fruit-trees'. 85 
 
 So alfo among familiar freinds,the/r«f> of the lips that is fome- 
 times tart and bitter at prefent is found many times more profita- 
 ble, and of better effeft.than that which is mild, and gentle: fuch 
 are mod faichfall freinds as deale moflplaindy with us, though 
 fometimes their Words ,reproofes % and dealings > may feeme harfh and 
 tart, in cafe of fome offence or neglect of duty , they are farre bet- 
 ter freinds then fuch as will fooch up a man in all his waies, or 
 els be filent, in refpecl of 'reproof *, Vrov. 28.23 , He that nbuketh a 
 many afterwards Jh all find more favour then he that flattereth With 
 his lips: And againe, Pro, 27. 6. faithfull are the wounds of 
 afreindjbut the kjjfes of an enemie are deceit/tilt ♦ 
 
 The Prophet knew thefe tart fruits tobe beft, P/^.141.5. Let 
 the righteous [mite me and reprove me 9 for that is good for i 
 we . 
 
 Thus it is alfo betweene God,andus: The fruits of his love 
 in Jharpcand bitter correclions t do (for the mod part)prove better, 
 and wore profitable to us, then pleafant , and fweete profperity, 
 Vf. lip. 72. It is good for mt i that 1 have beene in trouble t 
 &c. 
 
 We (hould hence learne not to judg of thing? according to Vfel 
 Jence,and prefent feeling, and apprehenfions, but according to their 
 confequences, and effect; knowen by the word and experience ; 
 jis a man values Phyfick, not according to the taft, 
 and relifh , but according to the profitable effttls that ic 
 works . 
 
 So although harfh difpenfations from Cod and dealings from 
 men may feeme at prefent not joyous but greivous , yet ihey 
 afterwards worke the peaceable^ fruit of righteoufneffe 
 Htb . 12. 11. more then cherijbings according to the 
 fiejb . 
 
 The feven and thirtieth Obfervation in Nature. 
 
 FRuitttrees beare no fruits in Autumne % except thej bud and 
 Bio (fome in the fpring: The Husbandman looks not to rective 
 a harve ft of fruits from Trees jhat doe not prepare Buds and Blojfoms, 
 and bring them forth in the fpring of the jeare: "But fuch as 
 
 L 3 blojftms 
 
26 The ffmtuall ufe of 
 
 bloffoms well in the fpring, give good hopes of fruits in their feat 
 font . 
 
 Hence we learne .« That 
 
 n „ r .' Tkofe per fans are act like to bring forth good fruits in old age. 
 
 Proportion ,. , , , r ; r i ». 7". r i ' * 
 
 •> C ' f Who labour not for tbtm in time oj youth. 
 
 When men labour, and are diligent in good Imployments 
 in their youth, these is fome hopes of fruit-fulneffe in after times: 
 But whit profitable fruits for the good of the Church of God, 
 Common wealth, or their owne comfort,canthofe perfons bring 
 forth in the Autumns of their life or old age 9 who fpend their youth jr 
 fpring time jn idiene(Te,and feniaall pleafures, and make no prepa- 
 ration thgn,by fiudy labour, and diligence I'matt good things, for 
 fruits afterwards whereof themfelve*, and others might eat,and 
 befacisned? 
 
 Will the Hasbaniman expeft a H<*rw/? y without a feedtime? 
 Prov.20,4, Thejlaggard ploweth not &c» therefore JhM he begg in 
 harvefl,andbave nothing • 
 
 The foolifh Virgins fleepe, while they (hould labour and prepare 
 Oyle, therefore they (hail be (hue out, when others enter in with 
 the Bridegroome JM-ith.if-ii, 
 1 Vfe. Here we fee why it is that fo many aged , and declining perfons 
 
 arefo ignorantofGodjand deftitutc of any profitable knowledg % 
 cr good fruit s y ihey trifled away their fpring time , they did not blof- 
 fome then t aot prepare for fruitsin dutumne. 
 2V(e> Let this quicken every one, whofe fpring is not yet pad, 
 
 now to bud and bUffome % by diligence^ and all good endeavours, 
 now to fow good feede plentifully^ that foe they may reape a full, 
 and joy full harvefi, Eccl.il. 1. Now to remember their Creator 
 in the daies of their youth , before the evill dates come , 
 &e . 
 
 We may learne this providence even from the lesft, and loweft 
 ranke of living (freaturts, the Bees^od the ^«n,thefe iafpring y and 
 fommer providejand lay np for w/»m%Prov.6.<5. 
 
 This is a thing of high concernment indeede, Oletyouth now 
 labour to get themselves implanted into £krift,Rom. 6. 5. and then 
 they will bud^and BloiTome s and bring forth fruits/ome in youth, 
 and more in Autu mne& Old age,Pf.?2.i3./«£i& as be planted in the 
 
 houfe 
 
a Garden of Fruit-trees > 87 
 
 hufe oftheLor^^fhullflomifhin the Courts of cUy Qod t they /hall 
 bring forth more fruit in old age. 
 
 The eight and thirtieth Obfervation in Nature. 
 
 X+ruit'trees that are not profitable are hurtfull: if they bears not 
 fruits thsy cannot befaidto be harmelejfe,fuch as although they doe 
 no good 9 yet they doe no hurtjbut there are pofttive evills, '(and. harme 
 in t andby them, loffe, and prejudice to the husbandman, they fuck,away 
 the juyce, and fertility of the earthjpoyle or hurt the hearbs. flowers, and 
 plants, which gropes under them, With droppings andfhade^ the) fill 
 uptheroome Cohere profitable fruit-trees might ft and^the husbandman 
 loofes his labour about them , and is dij credited by thtm , 
 &c. 
 
 This fhadowes oat on ro ns this Proportion. m r ,^ 
 
 That thofe who doe not aft for God, they aU *l*inft„fT?* 
 him. ; &*»**• 
 
 There are one fort ofperfon? who are cleanly, and evidently 
 Active for God, others as much againft him , taking part with his 
 enemiesjbut there area third fort who tfii ike it a fpeciall point 
 ofwifdoroe to fit ftill,and aft neither on the one fide, nor on the 
 Other, let them goe too Jay they, Wee'l not meddle yits good being quiet, 
 "why fhmld we put our finger into the fire when Vvee may keepe it out? 
 but let fuch know, they are the very enemies of God, as well, 
 as realiy,as thofe who act vifibly againft him: for not to atl for 
 Godjs to aft againft himjudg 5.23 . Cur (eye Merozfaid the dr>» 
 gellof the Lor d % curfe ye bitterly the inhabitants thereof t becaufe they 
 came not out' to the help of the Lord,to the hclpe of the Lord againft 
 the mighty, tAnd Luk^ii .l^he that ii not with me-> is again ft me, 
 unci he that gather eth not with me fcaPereth. 
 
 He that is not on Chrifts (ide, is on hi's enemies fide; men may 
 fpeake^nd aft asainft Chrift when rhey are filent.and (ic /till, the 
 fentence fhaUbe psononnced againft thtm at the laft day, as well 
 for not fending and clothing , and vifiting Chrift: in his 
 Members, a» for beating or wronging of thtm, Mai,25-4$! 
 
 This 
 
8 8 The fyirituall ufe of 
 
 Thisfhewes us whit efteemeGod bath QUuke-^arweprofeffottrs » 
 I Vfe. who have noe heate,nor life in the caufe of God, who looke 
 
 not after the interefl of hiafoone ChnftiNo although they have 
 particular obligations lying upon ihem to be a&ivesfach who arc 
 fet in Office, and power $ot this very end, and purpofe, to be ailive 
 forGod, yet how little doe many doe, in difcharge of the trufl 
 repofedinthsm* Let fuch know,so* to v4t~l jor God is to atla- 
 gainfthim* 
 2Vje. Let this quicken us all to be aftive for God, otherwife God will 
 
 corretl eoldneffe, and neglet~ls % even in his owne people.- LMofes, 
 Aaron, Eli, were not fpared in this cafe: but were fcourged for 
 neglects. 
 
 Doubtleffe God is as jealous for his honour now,asever,and 
 he lookes that every one of his people (in his fpheare wherein he 
 moves) (hould ad with life, and zeate for him. And to thofe 
 to whom he hath given much power, and authority, of them he 
 requires the more . 
 
 The nine and thirtieth Obfervation in Nature. 
 
 HP He husbandman looks for more fruits from fome of his fruit* 
 trees then from fome others, thole upon which he befioVoef 
 moft time t coft, and labour, from thofe he expects mofi fruits . 
 And is difpleafed if his expectation be not anfwered accort 
 dhgly . 
 
 This (bsdowes out unto us: That 
 
 Proportion God expttls greater rtturms of duty from fome perfons , then 
 fhadowed, from fome others, and neglefi thereof provokes God againfi 
 thsm. 
 
 In the Ceremonial/ Law God required more (acrifices from the 
 Rich jhsn from the Toorel fuch as had great fiore of Oxen, Sheepe, 
 and other things to be offered in facrifice (hould not have beene 
 accepted had they offered a paire of Turtle doves, or two young 
 Pigeons, which yet were accepted from the poorer fort of perfons: 
 So alfo underthe GofpelU To whom much is given,oj them doth he 
 require the more, Lu^ 12,48. God had done great things foe 
 
 Eli 
 
aGarden of Fruit-trees . 88 
 
 for EU, and David, and expecled (accordingly)^*^? returnes i Sam. *. i7j 
 of duty ,and obedience, all their lives after; but they failing in fome % l % atn * 
 great particulars, God is fore difpleafed with them,and reckons up 
 the great benefits, and particular engagements they had re# 
 ceived, and tels them he expe&ed other returnes from them. 
 
 So alfo Htzikiab received much, and God looked for anfwe* 
 rable returnes; but he rented not according to the benefits received, 
 zCro, 23.25. &C7od was difpleafed with him upon that account. 
 
 God planted a Vimjiayh, 8 fay. 5.1 ,2. and bellowed much care, 
 and paines about it,and looked for an anfwerable returne of good 
 fruits, but bccaufe it brought forth Wild grapes inftead of good 
 and pleafant grapes, he laid it walhiome have received more, and 
 lye under greater engagements from Cod, than others, therefore 
 God lookes to receive more . 
 
 This (hewes us the gre^t danger fuchperfons lye under, who iV[e\ 
 have received much from God, and returne but little', having re- 
 ceived mtny Talents, and not making an anfwerable returne, by 
 improving of them to the honour of God , and advantage of 
 his people ; Nay,wbo perhaps ufe all agiinfl God,and his people, 
 
 God gives to fome many Gifts of Nat are, and Common Graces, 
 much kndVoledgi learnings wifdome, great riches , honours, Office s, 
 Vlaces , much timejiberty, great, and choice meanes of ' grace, fpeciall pre 
 vidences,and difpen fattens, and many other Talents which others 
 have not: of thefe God requires more, than of thofe who have 
 fewer.andleffeof thefe things,and the not making futablerXetumes, .fr.r-> 
 provokes God againft them. * e * 
 
 If God fpared not his choice fervants, £li, David, Ezekjab, &c%, 
 Jf Judgment begin at the houfe of Cjodjsow Jhnllthe ungodly , andjin* 
 ner efcapefiTet^^j, 
 
 Let every one of us confider what we have received, that foe 
 we may make unto God fome aofwerabie returne:God looked 
 for more(and received more^from him that had the five Talents, 
 than from him that had received but tVvo. LMatth 42.5.23. 
 
 Noe one (not the loweft, or meaneft) is freed from nuking 
 returnes of duty to Godlthoogh God require much from thofe who 
 have received much, yet the meane per(on< who has but a little, 
 mud returne of that /m/e;Eph.4,28. Let him worke with his hands, 
 shit he may have fomething to give to him that needeth. And it will 
 
 M be 
 
$o The fpritmll ufe of 
 
 be accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that 
 he hatbnotyzCor.S.iz. 
 
 So alfo,of t6e ufe and improvement of all other Talents, gifts ; 
 graces t ltb erty,Power % and the nft> 
 
 The fortieth Obfervation in Nature. 
 
 Lthongh Fruit-trees bring forth many, great, and beautifull 
 fruits, yet they are not efteemed^ except alfo they have a good 
 
 tafl , it is the relijh that gives the Commendation to 
 
 fruits . 
 
 This fliadowes oat unto us : That 
 'Propo/ttion It is not the multitude (nor exaSlnejfe of performance) of duties % 
 fbadoWed, that God accepts, unleffe there be fincerity % and right ends in doing 
 thereof, 
 
 TheTafi of Mj flic all Fruit s, lies in the fncerity, and truth of 
 the heart: ft ncerity, and right Ends ,is that whichGoi cheifly looks at, 
 and accompts upon it accordingly: /ftlio denominatnr a fine ^ 
 The end denominates a worke good,or bad, it is the forme of eve- 
 ry duty . 
 
 The great end muftbe the glory of God 5 (thougb we may have 
 fubordinate ends, out owne happineffe, and others^ being Married 
 to Chrift^oe mttft bring forth fruit u*to God. Rom j.Z.Trees ofrigh t 
 leoufnejfe, being trees of the Lords planting, they bring forth fruit s 
 that he may be glonfied, Efay. 6\. 3. fo foh.i'y.Trmhrfncerity, 
 Love,rigbt ends, the[e make fruits taft p leaf ant !y, for without Love, 
 there cannot be right ends, Aad therefore the AvoflU fai'.h iCor. 
 1 3* Though a man have. all knovpledg^ll [fait h, though he befioVo all 
 his goods to feede the poor e, and doe never fo many good Veorkj, 
 yet if they tafi not of love , they are nothing worth, if 
 there be not fncerity and right ends, God accompts not of 
 them. 
 
 Many are but empty Vines, because they bring forth fruit to themfelves: 
 Haf.ioj. • f ru j ts as g 00C j as00 f ru j Cj w hen they have no good tafl % which they 
 have not t when the Ends are not right. 
 
 The 
 
aGarden of Fruit-trees . pr 
 
 The Phariftes brought fotthfaire and goodly fruits tolooke 
 upon, Mat, 6* 2« they Preached , they prayed muck t 
 the) gave much almes.they fa ftsd, payed tithes, &c. bat the tafi of 
 thefe fruits was naught they had no love to God, they wanted fwce» 
 rity, right ends, in what they did, Uriatth.6,z. Thty did 
 them to be feene of mm: for themfelves , and not for 
 God. 
 
 Hence we maylearne that much of the fruit that is brought i zjfi. 
 forth in the wcr!d, is not accepted of Cod, becaufe it wants a 
 goodtafi, though [hey are beautiful! to locke upon, as to the 
 matter and fubjlanceflzt chey may be bat as Apples ofSodomefaire 
 on the omfide,but rotten within, of an unpleafant taft. Men for 
 the moil part bring forth fruit unto themfelves, theyaime at their 
 owne proflcs, honours, or (omething mainely and cheifely, if not 
 wholly for themfelves. but the honour of God, the intereft ofChrifi, 
 is noc in their eye, their Love in their works is but felfc 
 Love* 
 
 Let as try the tafi of our fruit ^whether we have fmcere , and 
 right ends in what we doe, whether they tafi of Love, Love to ^A • 
 God, and hispeople.Letall your workes be done in Love, i £or. 
 I<5.f4- Oh how fweete and pieajant isthetaftoftfofe fruits, which 
 fpring from a principal 1 , of love to God, upon the apprehenfion of his 
 hove to us in Ckrift ! 
 
 Seeing he tafi of fruits makes them acceptable to God, this is * .3 Vf** 
 ground of great comfort to every poore weake Chriftian whofe 
 fruits though they are but {mall, and want outward beauty , yet 
 becaufe they have a good tafi,the husbandman likes them well, 
 they are pleafant fruits in his accompe , becaufe their hearts are 
 ferfett^ there is truth t Jincerity, love, holy and right ends mixed with 
 their fruits, foe that the husbandman delights to come into his 
 Qtarden % and to eat thefe his pleafant fruits, Cant.4.16. 
 
 The fyidtftoes two mites were but very frr.all fruits, and yet be- 
 caufe our Lord liked the tafi 9 he faid thsy were better, and more 
 aceeptable,thaa any, or all of the ?hanftes great and many fruit s^ 
 xMath % iz*4$> 
 
 M 2 The 
 
p 2 The ffirituall ufe of 
 
 The one and fortieth Obfervation in Nature. 
 
 ^ 7\ f ^ en drafts begin to grow by the fap they receive from the 
 V V ftock^theyVcill certainelj{by the Law of Naturr) hold on % m* 
 till they come to perfection . 
 
 The Proportion (hidowed: That 
 'Proportion The fmallefl meafttre of true grace in any perfon , can 
 fiadoVped, never be extinguifht , bttt will ctrtainely groW up to ftrfe* 
 El ion . 
 
 Graceti compared toagraine ofMufl-ardfeede,Mat,i'j t 2c.'whkh 
 though it be but a very /mallfubftance^zt in a while,it growes to 
 a great one; Though it be bat as a fparke of fire in flax, it (ball 
 not be quenched. E fay .<\z.i At will increafe to a great flame I 
 
 To fee (and be convinced or)the want of Chrift, and to defire 
 after him, is the fmallefl meafure of grace , which yet (hall certainely 
 increafetfuch a hungry foule (hall at laft be filled,and fatisfkd with 
 thefuHneffe OiQhu^^Mat^ 6. 
 
 If the fpirit have caftthe feeds, and Principles of grace into the 
 foole,he will water them, andcaufe them to grow, and bud, and 
 blolTome, and bring forth fruits; To him that hath /hall be given; 
 and he /hall have abundance S -Mat.i% ,■ 29. 
 
 All the powers of hell cannot rob the foule of the leafi meafure 
 
 of grace. 
 
 „ . [ This is unfpeakable Confolation to all believers , though never 
 
 io^eakein grace, though they have but a drop of the renter of 
 
 /i/]f,yetit (hall bz a well of water fpringing up to ttirnall l-.fe.Joh* 
 
 And therefore dejecled, and weary foules that feare the worke 
 of grace is not in them, that long after Chrift, and would 
 faine be fatisfied that they have an inrereflin himjLec fuch know 
 the feede ofQodis in ihem»fowenby his (pirir, and therefore it is 
 that they have thefc defiresjbu-ftings, longings, &c*an<i cannot be 
 fatioHed without Chrifh Thefe motions and workings of foule 
 are not any where , but where the fpirit dwels,and where he hath 
 begun the worke of grace; thefe are lure evidences that they are 
 
 united 
 
a Garden of Fruit-trees* 93 
 
 united toChrift,and ingrafted into him^ndthefe buds t and breakings 
 forth fhew clearely (to a difcerning eie) that they have taken 
 holdof they?of^, and that they have received from it, fome 
 fap and Hfe.and therefore can never be broken off^nor die, but they 
 ftnll certainely (pr'mg up ,wd grow to perfection, and bring forth 
 the fruits of Love, j°y y and praifeto all eternity, for be Who bath 
 begun a good Works in them, Will perfeH itfihil. 1 .6. 
 
 The two and fourtieth Obfervatioo in Nature. 
 
 'T'Hofe fruit f trees about Which the husbandman tryes his skill mofl 
 and about Which he takes mop paines, if thtfe are barren , or bring 
 forth naughty fruits , they difcredit him more then many 
 others. 
 
 This fhadowes out unto us: That /WwIT 
 
 God hath mere difhonour by the [imes of Profeffours^han by the fir.i ' ow *. 
 ef others. 
 
 Perfons who have intereftin, and relation one to another, 
 bring dishonour, or Reputation one upon another, according 
 asthey walks: a man is commonly judg'd according to his affo- 
 ctats,or Companions,foe doe the W2iesof the peop!e of God (or 
 thoie who profelTe themfelves to be fo) re fled upon God either 
 for hishonour,or difhonour* 
 
 The (in of Eliesfonnes brought more difhonour to (Sod, than 
 the finnes of many others,becau(e of their Relation to God, inre# 
 fpect of their Office: They made even the Offerings of 1 he Lordto 
 to be abhorred. 2 Sam. 1 2. 1 4« 
 
 Msny Proft flours, through their Pride, earthly^mindadneffe % 
 and other offenilve walking, bring a reproach upon the Vrofijfi- 
 on of Religion, and confeqoendy upon God biwfelfe t Kom. 2,24* The 
 name of God is blafpkmed among the Gentiles through 
 you . 
 
 When the enemies of God fee P/s/c flmrs walke fcandaloufly, 
 and behave themfelves «nin(Werable to their proft flion, thefe 
 things reflect even upon God-.James 2. 7. do not tbeylLfpbeme that 
 ■wortbie name by which ye are called t \\\<xwi the heathen did of old? 
 
 M 3 Ezek: 
 
94 The fpirztuall ufe of 
 
 Ezil^. 16.I0, They profaned my holy name When they [aid to them t 
 tbefe are the people of the Lord^ which are come out of hit Lanh. Even 
 fo now, fome fay in fcorne of Trofefjors ( when they walk contrary 
 to die Gofpellj) Tbefe are the people of the Lord y thefe are the faints, 
 the Brethren &c And hsreby they profane, and blafpheroethe 
 name of God, and bring reproach upon his &aies,%rid h s Gojptll: 
 By reafon of whom the "fray of truth fh&ll beevillfptken of. 2 Pet,2.il 
 M Bopthon faies, That a faffalme Jkfinifter, ii a thoufand timet more 
 pemitious , than an hundred private men, though prailifing villany w 
 the highcfi degree. So alio ( m fome proportion ) it may be (aid 
 of any that make profcjjiw of the Gofpell* 
 
 iVfe, We may herein fee thecaufe why God fometimes dealeth fo 
 
 fliarply with his own people; £U\ David, Salomon &c, ( though 
 eminently in the favour of God,) yet he pumfhed their offences 
 with the Rod, and their iniquity with fcourges, which made them 
 and their pofterity (mart, for many generations after. 
 
 ' -j f O let this move every one that nameth the name oj feftu to depart 
 
 ' e ° from iniquity-, every one that profefTeth the Gplpcll to be tender of 
 
 the name of God, to walkyvarily , andcircumfpeSily- very many Pro- 
 fefifors g;ve fence, and fcandall, by thofe two grand accurfed Lufls 
 of Pride y and Earthlj-mindedneffe % As their gifts and fome outward 
 advantage*) increafe, fo ( ufually ) Pride increafetb,and difcovers 
 1 it felfe; And as thi* filthy vtnomus Plant growes, and increafe th in 
 thefoule,it much hinders,andkeepesdowne the Tlants of grace, 
 where they are, fo thst they become poore, and feeble. And as 
 for Earthly-mindednejfe, wh?ch the sApoftle calls Idolatry and the 
 Mooteofaftevi/lColl.$.$. It is of all things moft unbecoming thofe 
 that profelTe to have their Treafure and inheritance in heaven, 
 
 O what a difhonour is this unto feftts Chrifl , as though there 
 were not enough to be had out of ihe fulnejfe of Chrifi $ tofatisfy 
 the foules^of his people, but they mufl come for fupplyes to Crea 9 
 tures'. Out of all doubt, thofe foules where thia Lufl prevailes,have 
 little, or no Qcmmmion with Godjet them pretend what they will, 
 for love of the world is ( as a holy man faxes ) the very Canker s and 
 Cnt'throte of all heavenlj-mindedm (fe-, So that proud, earthly-minded 
 Profejforsjhame theGojftll t and difhonour God more than others. 
 
 The 
 
d Garden of Fruit-trees, p$ 
 
 The three and fortieth Observation in Nature. 
 
 IF fruit-trees are Ingrafted while they are very young, the wor^e u 
 foone done t andu fear fe perceived afterwards , Whether it be ingraf' 
 ted or no, otherWife then by the fruits. But if the worke be delay d un- 
 till the trees are growen great \ andfirong, then the Worked more dijfi- 
 pult, andmanifeft afterwards t noi only by the fruits , but alfo by (ome 
 vifible, and apparent mar fa upon the tree* 
 
 This fliadowes out unto us, That Proportion 
 
 Conversion in youth i& notfo apparent as in elder yearej. fhadowed. 
 
 Some arc called the firft home of the day, and (ome tht third, $ tani ^^ 
 fome thtfixt, and (ome the Ufl houre LMat. 20. 1 „ 2. Some are jer.'i.s . iSam. 
 fandified from the Womb , fome early in their youth : others after 3. i^.iKin.i 8. 
 many yeares. Now for thofe in whom the fpiritof God beginnes i2,.aTim.j,i5, 
 to worke by meaues of Religious education in Childhood , and 
 youth, when they come to yeares , they ate { ufualiyj fubje&to 
 doublings, and feares, about their fpirituall condition, more than 
 other.*,, when they heare, & reade of fome who have gone through 
 firaits, and difficulties^ feares, and terrors,, in their Ntw»birth i and 
 cannotlpeak of any fuch thing out of their own experience: This 
 is ufually a ground ( through their own weakneffe, and Sathans 
 fufrtilety) of que ft oring their Eftates. Becaufe the work of grace 
 in thete, is begunne iofenfib.ly, and growes up by degrees hardly 
 to be perceived. Mark: 4- 27. It fprings up i andgroWes they fyoW 
 not how. 
 
 But fuch as are converted after many yeares of living in a carnal 
 unregenerate ftate, thefe a*-e converted wifh greater aifficu/ty, and 
 more remarkably , one contrary difcovers , and fets off another 
 clearely, and a iudden change o\flates t makes the thing more 
 manifeft. 
 
 Any works that have fmall s andweake beginnings, and that go on 
 but Qowly i and by degrees, thafe make no no ie, are fcarle per- 
 ceivedj But works that have violent beginnings, and are carried 
 on with fower, andfpeede, thefe awaken every mans obfervation. 
 
 The 
 
$6 The ffirituall ufi of 
 
 The Jaylors finverfion was remarkable, becaufe there Was ajpee- 
 dj change wrought, from oneftate to another, Atl. 16. So alio 
 the (fonverfion o/S, Tauf was a manifefl change. AEl.g. The like 
 cf many others: as both Scripture, and experience (hew us. 
 iVfe 9 This may help tofatisfy tbofe who queftion their Converfion, 
 
 chiefly upon this ground , for that they cannot declare ( as fome 
 others ctn) ho??, where, and when, they were fiift wrought upon, 
 who yet are certainly ingrafted inro the Stok^fefus Chrift. The 
 fpirit ( its likely ) beganne early with them , and caft feed into 
 theirminds, while they were but of tender yeares , whichgrewup 
 they knew not how, as our Saviour faies ^Mar^. 4. 27. Thehuf- 
 bandman bended the Twig while it was young, and tender, and en* 
 grafted it, and pruned) and ordered it unto a comely Tree, and mide 
 ic fraitfull ; And the work then was done with more eafe and lefle 
 obfervation then it is ufually afterwards. 
 
 Such as thefe muft Labour to fatisfy tbemfelves, and make their 
 fallings and Eletlionfure, chiefly by trying of their fruits : exaroi" 
 ning them by the word of God. See Obferv: in Nature 8. & 22. 
 
 -J 
 
 The foure and fortieth Obfervation in Nature. 
 
 IN a Fruit-tree the Bigg and great Boughes are but a few in Nunu 
 herein refpetl of the [mall Boughesjhere are multitudes of little [mall 
 Boughes,branches y and Twiggs upon a Tree, for one great "Bough. 9 
 
 tpropofnioH This fhadowes out unto us: That 
 
 fbadowed* The great perfons in the World , who are in Chrijl , are but few in 
 
 number, in rejptfl of the meaner fort. 
 
 Wee fee by too much experience, That the rich, and great ones 
 of the world ( for the moft part) refufe (Thrift; Their licenciovu 
 lives, their Walkjng according to thefiefh , fufficiently teftify that 
 fuch who fo walke , are in zCarna/lftate, but thofe that follow 
 Chrift, as bis Difcipies, are (generally) of the meaner fort of 
 ferfons; The sApoflle is expreffe in this, 1 Cor. 1 . 26,27. Te fee 
 your calling{Brethren, how that not many wife men after thefiefh, not 
 wan] Mighty t not many Noble are called. But, fam.2* 5 ♦ God hath 
 
 ehofen 
 
a Garden of Fruit-trees. $y 
 
 chofen the poore of this world, rich in faith, and heirts of the K'mgdame, 
 which he hath promifed to them that love him* Joh. 7.48. Have any 
 of the Rulers, or Tharifees believed on html* But the Toore receive 
 the Gofpetl. 
 
 This calls aloud to all great perfons, to try, and examine them» 1 Vfe, 
 felves, whether they be in the faith. Left they be of the number of 
 tbofe who have their portion in this life. 
 
 There is no reafon any one (hould envy, or defire the condition iVfe 
 of Carnall eminent perfons* That fparke, or blaze of feeming glory- 
 may quickly be extinguifhed in everlafiing dark^efe. 
 
 The five and fortieth Obfervation in Nature. 
 
 r THe Branches, and Bonghes of fruit-trees are toffed, andfhaken by 
 the Winds, yet there u no danger of their falling While the R&ote re m 
 matnesfirme in the Earth. 
 
 Hence we learne, That 
 
 %Although believers are {baleen by the winds of Temptations , yet 
 they cannot be overturned, becaufe they are fixed upon Chrifl. Proportion 
 
 We have no promife that we (hall be free from Temptations,tof* fiadowed. 
 fings, and {bakings in this life, but rather are foretold of them: fob. 
 16.33. J» the World yee /hall have tribulations, but be of good che are % 
 lloave overcome the World. But we have a fure promife that no Tem- 
 ptation (hall be too hard for us: 1 Cor.10.13. The houfe built up- 
 on the Rocke, (hall (land againfl all the floods, winde s,and /formes 
 of Temptations, Mitth.y.2 4. 
 
 The faithfalnejfe,*tida\\ the Attributes of God are ingiged for our 
 fafety, and deliverance: i£or. 10. 13. Cod ufaithfull who will not 1 e 
 fuffer you to be tempted above jour ftrengtb, but will give an iffue to 
 ever j Temptation thatjee may beare it. 
 
 fob, David, Heman and many othersjwe read, were mncn (ha- 
 ken with Windes andftormes of Temptations, bat yet rhey were all 
 the while fafe, they were not overturned, becaufe they wqu fixed 
 upon Chrift r they were Rooted in him. 
 
 So all the people of God are a* Mount Sion, which cannot be re* 
 mwedjbut abideth fafl for ever,Vt. 1 25. 1. 
 
 N This 
 
p8 The fpiritnall rife of 
 
 v/*t This is a ground of great Confutation to believers ,in their great eft 
 
 Troubles*, Though they paiTe through the waters, they (hall noc 
 be drowned, though they walks through thejfo,they (hall not 
 beburnt,£/^.43.2. 
 
 Though they(as Branches of a tree)are (haken and to (Ted this 
 way and that way, yet they (hall not be overturned, becaufe they 
 grow upon the Rowland their ft ock^ or Koote is Jledjaft and im- 
 moveable . 
 
 The fix and fortieth Obfervation in Nature. 
 
 I 
 
 ^regular Bttds t orJbo6ts of frttit' trees t are eafilj rubbed, or broken 
 off at their fir ft putting forth^bm if let alane,thej Will grow great* 
 
 And ftrong,foe that then it will be far more difficult to cut, or break. 
 
 thim off ', 
 
 ep r . The Propofmox (hadowed hereby is : That 
 
 ru j J* j Sinfull thoughts, and motions in the foule , are mo ft eafih 
 
 If we give way to the motions of Corruption within us,they wfll 
 grow,& gather (frengtb,& be much more hard to m;ifter,&bring 
 downe.than at their fiift (lirrings . 
 
 So/o»o»(upon this Accompc)advifeth to be aware, and to leave 
 offContentiotiin the beginning, fo (bone as it begins to appeare 
 Vrov.17.14,. The Children of MyfticallBabilon muft be da(ht 
 in peeces.foe foone as they are borne . 
 
 if a Poole of water begin to break the Bank, its wifdome to 
 flop the breach fuddeoly, els it quickly growes wider, and more 
 hard to be done. 
 
 " < Dt(ea[es are more eafily cured at firfl,then when they have got 
 ftrength- fo fpirituall difeafes . 
 Vfel Its a great point of fpirituall wifdome.to watch over the heart , 
 
 10 fuppreffe rifings of Lnfts^and Corruptions quickly! And therefore 
 let us rake and obferve Solomons advice, Vrev.q, 23. to ketftth$ 
 heart Voith all diligence jor out 0} it are the ijfues of life . 
 
 The 
 
aGardm of Fruit-trees] 9$ 
 
 The fevenand fortiethObfervation in Nature. 
 
 FRom one fruit- tree are fometimes taken (/rafts for many trees y 
 Which being ingrafted upon jeverall ftcckj , multitudes cf other 
 Trees are thereby propagated t 4nd increafed^ which alfo heart ft ore of 
 good fruits . 
 
 Propoficion fhadowcd; That 
 
 The Infirutlions of om godly perfon, fometimes are effecluall "Proportion 
 {by the fpirit) to the implanting of many into fhrift, (hacLowed, 
 
 As one fmner deftroyeth much goodyProv.p. 18. (o (of ten) one good 
 man is the Inftrument, and meanes of much good'. God makes ufe 
 of him for the converfioo of many unco Godj He turms many 
 to righteoufnejfei Dan'. 12.3* 
 
 Many grafts of good LMotion, eounfels, and Inftruffiont, are 
 fometimes taken from one good wan, which take hold, and 
 grow in the minds of many others , as long as they 
 live . 
 
 grafts taken from that excellent frait- tree, the isfpeftle Peter, 
 were effecluall to the ingrafting of many into Chrift, ASlsi^j. 
 4T. The fame hay there Were added unto them about 3000 foulest 
 And iga.\ne: Alls Af^.Many of them which heard the word believed, 
 and the number of the men Were about 5000. Their. Ceunfe/s \ and 
 Jnftrutlions were ingrafted into their Mindsyas rhe Apoftle 
 (peaks, Barnes 1. 21. Receive With meekntffe the Ingrafted 
 •word. 
 
 The word takes hold, and rooting in the heart, as a Graft -in 
 the^oc^which growes there, and brings forth fruit: Col. 1. 6. 
 The Gefpell is come unto you^and bringeth forth fruit. 
 GoodMyfticall fruitttrees(ho\y men^afford many goodC/r<a//j)P>v 
 15. 4, a Wholfome Tongue is a tree of life, which affords many 
 good Grafts ) whereby many other fruit-trees are increafed 
 of the fame kind. Trees of righteoufnejfe of the Lords plantings 
 £\. 61. 3. which beareftore of good fruits co the husband-, 
 man , ■ ■ 
 
 Nz" This 
 
*©o Tkfpirkmllttfeof 
 
 iVfe . This fhould ingige us to fhew love, and reverence to holy 
 rnen,not only for that they beare the Image of God upon their fpirits, 
 anh bring forth good fruits But al/o for that they ve the meanesoffo 
 much good to others . Who by ihe\t'Prayers t Preaching, Printing, 
 InftrtiElions.Cjovernmentiandgoed examples, are inftruments , and 
 meanes,of bringing many fouies to God, of Ingrafting , and 
 multiplying fruiftrees in Cjods inclofed Garden . 
 
 The eigkt and fortieth Obfervation in Nature. 
 
 IpRuit'trees being Ingrafted, they T^aturally bring forth good 
 fruits, Becaufe a mw>and another Nature {in the graft )i s joy ned to 
 the wild Plant on which it is Grafted; Notwithfianding fome mixture 
 of the Nature of the Vcild fioc\ , jet the (/raft over- 
 rules , to bring forth good fruits according to its owne Na- 
 ture* 
 
 & a /J. j This is another Similitude of the (late of Myfiicall fmiutnts^ 
 
 * and (hiiowes out >jnco us this Proportion : That 
 
 Perfons ingrafted into Qhriji , doe naturally bring forth good 
 fruits . 
 
 i Every regenerate perfon hath two natures in him the divine 
 Z^ature^nd Corrupt Nature . And thefe ttyo T^atures acl in him 
 all his life time: Bat notwithfhnding corrupt Principles, the 
 divine T^jture prevails in bekivers, for the generail courfe of ' 
 their lives. 
 
 Tte are partakers of the divine Nature ( faith the /4poftle)2P*f* 
 1.4. whereby perfons ingrafted into Chrift, are carried out to 
 act for God according to that Mature, and foe bring forth good 
 fruits Njturallyx their fruits taking their denomination from the 
 better Naturr. 
 
 "Believers have the Image ofQod renewed in them,and his Law 
 written in their hearts,That is fytoWledg^difpofitions, and inclinations 
 carrying them (by a fpiritually natural! power) to what is holj % 
 )u(i t and good.in fome degree as &Adam had in his mnocency : foe 
 that they Naturally bring forth good fruits , and have<* 2S(atu* 
 
 rail 
 
a Garden of Fruit-trees, ibi 
 
 rail propenfton,aptne(fe and inclination to the things of Cod, as un- 
 regenerare peribns have to carnall things. And where this dim 
 vine principle % or fpirituall Mature , hath attained high degrees, 
 where grace is at a high pitch,and the foule in a fpirituall frame, 
 there the workings of it are morecleare and apparent* There is 
 a T^aturall difpojttion t affe3ion t and inclination towards God, and 
 the thiagsofCjodjevento all fpirituall things, as fpiritttall: Rom. 
 8. 5. They that are after tht fpirit, doe mind the things of the 
 fpirit I 
 
 Notwithstanding the crofTe workings, and ft irrings of Corrupt 
 ftaturejet (for the generall) the moving?, and workings of the 
 fpirits ofBeIievers,andebe fruits they bring forth,are according 
 to this fpirituall nature, Rom. 8«i. They walks after the fpirit, and 
 Horn. 7. 25, With my mindlferve the UwofGod. The generall 
 courfe of their lives is fpirituall^ or (piritually T^aturall, as 
 fpringing from that My fiicall roote t the fpirit of fori finding thofe 
 fpirituall difpofitions ^inclinations which he hath fixed in the foule. 
 
 This may prove Prof (fours whether they be found or no; 
 let them examine their Principles from which they aft .- whether 1 Vfe, 
 they are acled in the waies of God, from a fpirituall , and divide 
 Principle within, or from motives, or £on federations fiora Without: 
 whether it be notCu ficme , E xamples,Counfells orfcommands of men, 
 interefi in % or engagements of ]rtinds % ?rai[e ofmenjutWard advant 
 tagesfit at bt(t,Naturall fonfcience t thu moves them, and carries 
 them on in Religious waies. 
 
 Hereby we know that the waies of God are eafy , and plea- -., 
 fant Waies Jot whatfof ver we do naturally \ we do eafily, and With ' e 
 
 delight;\x. is (in forrie degrees) with the adopted fonnes of god % as 
 with his l^aturall fonne, in this refpecl, to accompt it their rmat 
 and drinkjto doe the will of their heavenly father*, fo that this is a 
 great encouragement to i\\jo give up their names to fbrift, Vrov. 
 3. 17* His Waies are waies of plea(antmffe % and all bis paths are 
 peace , 
 
 N3 The 
 
io2 The ffirituall ufe of 
 
 The nine and fortieth Obfervation in Nature. 
 
 'ItHere are but few Ingrafted trees in a Ccuntrie^ incomparifon 
 ofthofe ungrafte father t are many thoufands in the woods , and waft 
 grounds, of wild trees , the number of which farre exceeds the num- 
 ber of the trees of the Gar dm . 
 
 The Vropofnion (hadowed . 
 
 That there are but a few GoMj perfons in the Vporld$ in cent * 
 
 tPropofttion parifon of the number of the wicked. 
 
 jhadowed* This appeares exprefly, CWattkj. 13, 14, Wide is the gate , and 
 
 broad is the way that leadeth to dtftrutlien^ and many there be that 
 goe inthereat&ecaufe ftraite is the Gate , and narrow is the Way 
 which leadeth unto life^andfew there be that find itt fo againe 
 (Jfylatt h.20. 16. Many art called } but ft^are chofen. 
 
 Experience makes this too minifeftj moft imbrace this prefenG 
 world,aod but few deny themfelves, and follow Chrift; few in 
 the world make profeffion of ChriftT in comp3rifon of the mul- 
 titudes of Idolaters in other Nations: ^nd of thofewho make 
 profefllon, how many Hypocrites t to one true hearted 2{atha n 
 niel ? 
 
 The godly are in number,*** the gleanings of Grapes ^hen the 
 
 Vintage is don eX Or as the fhakingofan Olive tree, tWo or three 
 
 Berries in the top of the uppermost bough, foure, or five in the outmoft 
 
 Brunches thereof E fay. ij. 6, ^ 
 
 - This is a fad Confideration , and (houlo make us take op s 
 
 ■ ■''» lamentation for the (late of mankind, 
 
 r -, This fhouid ftirr up every one to labour with all diligence 
 
 ?W*j! to make their calling, and election f me t to know they are of the 
 
 number of the little floek. 
 
 The fiftieth Obfervation in Nature. 
 
 SOme wild, and ungraded trees beare fruits very like to thof 
 that are Ingrafted in fbape t and colour^ [9 that men often 
 miftake the one for the other. This 
 
4 Garden of Fruit-trees. i o ] 
 
 This fhadowes oat onto as this Proportion: 
 
 That the Voortu offormall hypocrites are (in many things ) very « „. r ■ 
 ... . , c : r>i >n.- 'Proportion 
 
 like the works of true Chi titans, (hid 
 
 Many Formall Profefourj have fpeciall eminent Gifts and abi- 
 lities, which (it may be)exceede thofe of feme real) Christians, 
 they can VreacbS>ray-> and difcourfe well, and can make a fhifc 
 to carry themfelves fo,as to gaine fome good opinion among men; 
 yea,and pafle for Sincere Vrofefors. 
 
 Who were more exa<3: in their Iives(as to outward performan- 
 ces of duties J then the Scribes and ¥harifees,'m Preaching , Vraying, 
 giving to the Voore? &c, and yet our faviour charges them with 
 Hj/pocrifie, MattLiftiljylS. Woe unto ycufcribes t and Vbari fees, 
 Hypocrite s 3 for ye are Uk$ unto tyhited fepulchres, which indtede 
 tippe are beautifull onVfoardly ',&c. Ye outwardly appeare righ' 
 teous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrify, and ini* 
 quity . 
 
 So it is at this day. the fruits of many feemhg Chriflians ap- 
 peare beautifull outward, as if they were the fruits of 
 ingrafted trees, whereas in truth they are but the fruits of wild 
 Trees . l V[e. 
 
 This being fo weoughs to fet our felves to diftinguifh fruits 
 that are brought forth,both our owne s & others, that we take not 
 Crabs for u^pples^hzt us not jjdgof fruits by their Bulkey or 
 fubfi ance,Bt 'am y t and forme , or Number, but by their Nature, $ ee obf erv ^ 
 and quality .their Taftx A fpirituall Palate is able ( for the mo(t A Qt 
 part)to taft the fruitj that are brought forth by men : he that 
 is Spiritual! judgtth all things, 1 for. 2.15. fpirituall men have the 
 La^Q written in their heart s,knowUdg,difpofnions, inclinations^ frame 
 and temper of fpirit (in fome degfee)anfwerable to the mind of 
 GodiThis fpirituall T^at/tre in the foule,by the aflidance of the 
 fpirit of God together with the Written Word, is the guide of all 
 believers,thereby they judg of goody and evill fruits 9 of wild, and of 
 Ingrafted Trees , I Cor % i . 1 2. 
 
 The 
 
103 The fpkituall ufe of 
 
 The one and fiftieth Qbfervation inNature. 
 
 S Oms grafts are in pan prepared by the hmbandmanin Order t* 
 Ingraft ing^andyet through negletJ t or ttnskjlfulnejfe in Ordering^ 
 or hurts by A4en,Catt/e t hot funnes^dry winds, orfomething eh, they 
 arefpoifcd, and. never take hold of the flocks whereby they fhmld grow 
 
 to perfefiion . 
 
 This (hadowes out unto us: That 
 'Pnpofiticn Same Perfons are Wrought upon in part {in fome things) Ukg to 
 fhadoweds thofe that are Ingrafted tnto Chrift, who yet never attaint to fa 
 really united to him . 
 
 The fpirit of God Convince th the toorld of fin t as well Repro? 
 bates^s the E/ett^hey are fomeeimes terrified with the apprehen- 
 sions of the wrath and juftice of God for fin.and may (for a tiraej 
 lye under the fpirit of Bondage, and common convictions of. the 
 fpirit,& may have knowledge fome common graces ,& reform e 
 in part,& m ake a Profeffion • <4nd yet after alJ,through neg- 
 ligence, Workings °f Sajhan y and tht world, they comefhort of 
 dirift. 
 
 The young man in the GofpellMat ro.had fome good beginning^ 
 fome civil! righteoufnefle, & being byChrift told what to do more, 
 he (links back from Chrifr, and went his way to his earthly polTe* 
 flions . So the hearers,Z#£.8.i3 .they heare the word, and believe 
 for atimtjfttt in temptation fall away, ^fnd /nany of the diici- 
 ples of Chuft,Iohn.6* 66.Went back,, and Walkgdnoe wort withhiml 
 &[(o i Job. 2.1 9-Thty ypent out from us &c(o many in thefe dates: 
 
 cal.^7. Tedji having begun well, after awhile they fall off, and with Demos 
 
 binder? imbrace thisprelent world . 
 
 iVfe. Let us not baftily conclode of any ones being in the (rate 
 
 of grace.becaufe of fome beginning?, and progfelfe in a Profef- 
 fion. 
 2U/i. This Ihould flirr up every one to goon towards perfection, 
 
 not to reft In beginnings , but to prefle forward towards 
 the Marks ' And to give all poffible diligence to make our Cal» 
 twg^nk Ehclion fure ,and to put that great gueflion out of guet 
 
 $ion% 
 
a Garden of Fruit -tr as. i o 5 
 
 ftiott, whether or wwe are really in CAttj/?,whether we receive fap 
 and life from ihttftcckj>o grow,and bring forth good fruits,if foj 
 then certainly we fhaJl perfevere unto the end. 
 
 The two and fiftieth Obfervationin Nature. 
 
 Ti 
 
 'He leafi , and mofl crooked Ingrafted tree brings forth better 
 fruits^ without any artificiall helps , then the fairefi tree with all 
 the art that can be med to it, ifungrafted . 
 
 This Similitude (hadowes out unto us this Proportion. 
 
 That the meant ft person in fflrifl, brings forth better fruits , 
 then the mofl accomplifht unregenerate perfon in the Tropofitiott 
 world ♦ fhadoVeed , 
 
 Every believer is a&ed by the r pirit of Qod, and fpirituali Prin- 
 ciples, and all their fpirituali fruits fpringfrom fhrift their roote, 
 and thence it is that they areoffuchacccirnpt with God $ But 
 unregenerate per fons cannot doe one good worke, cannot bring 
 forth one good fruit.becaufe they have no fpirituali Principles, 
 they have not the fpirit of God,zs to any renewing, fan&ifying 
 operations in them.but are wholycarnall, and therefore whatfo* 
 ever proceeds from them is (oJo.$.6.That -which is of the {Ufb,uflefbt 
 And Tit, I« I? % To them that are defiled, and unbelieving is 
 nothing pure ,but even their minds and confidences are defiled. As 
 from a muddy fount aine flowe impure firearms, or from a corrupt 
 Roote [pring naughiy fruits, fo from the fpirits of carnal! perfons 
 proceed fle/hlj operations : The carnall mind is enmity again fl God t 
 Rom& 7. So then wthey that are in the flefb cannot pleafe God, verf. 8. 
 Their grapes are grapes of gall , their fclufters are bitter , 
 JCteaf.32.32. 
 
 But the fruits of believers are fweete and pleasant fruits ^ ,becaufe 
 they fpring from ths true Vine, Joh.i$. So that the husbandman 
 will come into his garden , and eat his pleafant fruits , 
 £W*4. 1 6. 
 
 Hence we may fee the groffe miflake of moft people in the iVfi- 
 world,who value fpirituali fruits according to bulke, and out* 
 ward beauty;TheSermons > books^/i:o»r/'^ &cof great men&efoz 
 
 O the 
 
1 o 6 Theffmtuall u[e of 
 
 the moll part cryed up,and had in eftimation (e(pecially,if :he^ 
 be not only eminent in Tlace, andOffi,ce,hut alio in learning, and 
 Gifts) who yet in the meane time neglec^or flight the Sermons, 
 Prajers y boookj % anddifcourfes ofperfonsiow inthe world, and io 
 Gifts , and naturall endowments^ though thefe proceede from a 
 gratious heart. a renewed nature , and tbefpirit of Qod> though they 
 have a taft, a favour , and relifhof the divine Nature , and have a 
 veine of holiness running through t him , which God himfelfe, and 
 his people, who are moil fpirituail , are delighted with. Bat 
 the naturall man cannot perceive , mr difceme the things of god s 
 lfir.2.14. 
 y.r This may abate the pride of worldly Vrife men, though eminent in 
 
 ■ '** all naturally and acquired abilities , who, like the proud Pharifee, 
 boaft of themfelves and defpife others , whofe fruits are farre 
 better then theirs; itatknowO vaine man. That not he that 
 commendeth himfelfe is approved, but whom the Lord commtndeth^ 
 
 2 Csr.IO.l8. 
 
 . ~ , This is a ground of great comfort to every gratious heart, 
 3U//* . though they be never fo meane and imperfecl in gifts, and natu» 
 rail endowments, yet thete Graces may be eminent, and t\\t\x fruits 
 pretious. Though they be (mail as the poore widdowes mite , 
 yet they are better, and of more efteeme with (7od, then all the 
 great fruits of formal! ?rofeffours > Mark^ 12.41 ,42. 
 
 The three and fiftieth Obfervation in Nature. 
 
 ^""Hf thriving roote of a fruitttree is alwaies ready to give up 
 fap and nourifhment to the Branches ; and if the Branches f 
 could draft fap continually , the roote would continually 
 give it . 
 
 'Proportion The Spirituall It/Ton (hadowed. 
 
 feadeWed , That Chrifl is continually ready to communicate fivength s 
 
 and nfrefhing to hid people, and all defttls thereof are from thtm* 
 
 [elves ♦ 
 
 believers receive ad their life,and power from Chrifl whereby 
 fheydoeany thing fpirkually . 4nd when the foule finder hnoe 
 
 flrength % 
 
4 Garden of Fruit-trees] T o 7 
 
 firength^nA reft? firings by reafon of the firings of Corruptions, 
 and temptations fromJatha»,4xd the worlds yet ail the while Chrifi 
 is ready t* communicate himfelfe , for it is his Offi-e, as well as his 
 Nature, he is appointed of God to give out all fupplyes to 
 his peop!e,iCV. i» 30. He is made unto us tyifdome, rightecufnfffe , 
 fantlification,and redemption, The foule is foraetimes fluggiiri,and 
 careleffe of feeking, or entertaining Chrifi, yet Chrifi is ready, 
 and calls for entrance, Behold lfi and at the dor e and knocks if any 
 man heart my voice ,and open the dare J W ill come in and [up with him, 
 and he with me ,Rev. 3. 20, And againe £anu 5.2, 3. I* *'; the voice 
 of m) beloved that knockfth, faying, open to me my love , my dove , 
 my undtfiled.Bm how careleffe is the fouie of entertaining Cbriftil 
 have put off my Coate,hoW fhalll put it on? &c. 
 
 The C4pofile re!s us the Lord is ready, jam* 4- 8- draw nigh 
 to God, and he will draw nigh to you, if we afke wejhall receive , 
 ifwefeek^ we {ball find \iffte f^nock,it /hall be opened, Mat. 7. 7, We 
 find by experience, when we feek Chrifl: diligently we find him 
 refreshing the foule, qaickning, and enlivening of it, but if 
 we neglecl him , our fpirits are dull, our affeclions grow 
 cold . 
 
 Chrift is ready to give out himfelfe to thofe that looke after 
 hiro,at their firft commingtohim,and it all times afterward, Joh. 
 4.47. He that commeth unto me, I Vtill in no wife ca(l off. He is the 
 treafury of all grace, mA. difpenfeth grace to his people for all pur* 
 QoteBrfuickying grace, firengthning grace preventing grace ^teaching 
 grace,comforting grace,he is the God of aH grace,and is ftill ready 
 co communicate of the fame to his people, if they be but ready, & 
 fit to receive it. q^ 
 
 It may hereupon be objected by fome under a Temptation, 
 O but I have prayed long and fought the Lord, but I am 
 not heard, I am almoftdifcouraged in praying and waiting fo 
 long. 
 
 It is anfwered: The Caufe is in thy felfe, upon one accompr, 
 or otherjit may be thou haft difpleafed Chrifl by fome prevailing 
 luftjt may be thou haft negiecled, and fleighted his grace, and 
 loving kindneffe towards thee aforetime, not walking in any roea- 
 fure anfwerable thereunto, haft thou not looked after other lovers 
 in letting the ftrearae of thy affeclions runne towards empty ere a* 
 
 O a wrest 
 
 An, 
 
lUfe: 
 2U/r, 
 
 1 08 The ffmtuallufe of 
 
 tnres\ Or Chrift may withhold,to prevent thefe things , or the 
 like,which els would be.thas thou knowing how dear it colls thee 
 toobtaine manifeilacions of his grace, they may be the more 
 prized.Qr thy graces have need offrjiȣ,and exercifwg, which 
 ehbeiog una&ive, would be at a (land, or decay : there is fome 
 caufe or other in thy felfelf need be, ye are in heavinefTe through 
 manifold temptations, iP^.i .6 fo that Chtift is ready to com* 
 municate of his fulneiTeto his people, and ufually, thefouie 
 (being in a good healthy (late, and not clouded with lufls, or 
 temptationsjfeekingof him does find him,yea: before his people 
 call hem[\anfw>ere t and While they are yet [peaking be Will heare 3 
 6 fay. 65,24. 
 
 Let this teach us Co take notice of the freenefle,and readinefle 
 of Chrifl to communicate of his fulnelTe , that our hearts 
 may be engaged,and enlarged towards him in love % and thankjuU 
 fteffe. 
 
 This is a fingabr encouragement to every beleiving foule con- 
 tinually to make out after Chrifl,in ail our wants, and needs} for 
 as he hath an infinite (lore, andtreafury of all grace, fo he is 
 freely ready to difpence of it : Let us under(hnd our own 
 eroptineflfe, and infufficiency, that we may goe to him, and by 
 faith receive of his falnette, grace for grace, even the fame fpiric, 
 and fame grace$,that Chrifl hath in a meafure . 
 
 The fourand fiftieth Obfervation in Nature. 
 
 FRutMrees being ordered With (kill, and diligence; they hecomt 
 abundantly fruitful!, which ifneglelled, and nature be left to it 
 felfe, they will hare but little fruiter not fo much, nor fo good, as 
 with due culture 7 and ordering . 
 
 This is another Similitude^ the (late of Spirituall frmtttreei 
 and fhidowes out unto us this Proportion i That 
 
 Frofo\\tion g^ diligent ufe of themeanes of grace Chrijlians attaint great adt 
 !-ador»eds vantages which through negletl i (or jleight nfwg weanes) Would be 
 loft. 
 
 Whofoever 
 
a Garden cflrmt-treeF, I op 
 
 Whofoever propofeth an End unto him felfe cannotfrationally) 
 cxped to have it, without ufing fit meanes for attaining of it $ 
 falvation is that great, and general! end that men ayme at (at 
 Jeaft pretend to it) but how can they expect to find it, who neg- 
 lettjsr (leight the we4«f/, whereby only it is attained; which is the 
 knawUdg cfjeftts Chrifi} 
 
 Heaven is not gotten by fitting Hill) but by laboring and dri- 
 ving for it Jn Gods Way ;The kingdoms of heaven is taken by violence, 
 and the violent take it by force, CMat.i i*J2 9 and Luk^^ti^-firive to 
 inter in at the firait gate . Meanes mud be ufed with diligence % 
 If we would have mfdomejtoe mufi atk^it of God James 1.5. And 
 Pro. 22.1/ he incline his ears ,and apply his heart to it, if he cry after 
 knoVfledg % and lift up his voice for underfianding, if he feeke her as 
 (ilver, and fearch for her as for hid treafures; then he (hall 
 nnderfiand the feare of the Lord 3 and find the k»owledg of God. 
 
 Here muft be inclining the eare^nd applying the heart jhere muft 
 be crying^ind lifting up the voice, (eekjng, (earching^nd then fhall 
 yieefind . 
 
 Giving all diligence t adde to your faith vertue &c. 2?et, i. 5»and 
 againe verf. 10. Give all diligence to make your calling, and 
 Mletlion (are : the diligent foule fhall be made fat 
 
 few, 13. 4. 
 
 But on the other fide, »fg/e# of the meanes of grace >, or carelejfe 
 ttfe there o/.loofeth thefe advantages, many fake to enter, but fhall 
 rot be ablejome feeke not at a!I,others feeke but negligently ,and fo 
 find not . 
 
 In attaining degrees ofgifts,and graces, we fee by Experience, 
 that men ofmeannatorall parts, by diligence ufe of meanes, grow 
 eminent,and farre beyond others who have better natural! parts, 
 if they be negligent to improve them ♦ 
 
 I know meanes are nothing of themfelves, without the concur- 
 rence of thefpiritin them; butw meanes without God can do 
 nothing:fo,ufnaIly,God without meanes,if men neglect them will 
 do noth'wg'.T he diligent (oule Jhall be made fat iPyov. 13.4 bat fuch 
 as negletl meanes or ufe them negligently, they loole all, and perifhs 
 Thedeftre of the flothfull killnh him , Vrov. 21. 25. My people art 
 deftroyedfar lac\of k»oVt>ledg:becau(e thou hafi rejetled knoVcledg, I 
 ■alfowiltrtpcltbee, He/". 4.6. they rejected knowicdg.in rejecting, 
 
 O3 and 
 
X io Theffiritudll ufe of 
 
 and neglecling the "fames and manes of knowledg : ye have fei at 
 naught all my coun fells, andVvould none of my reproof s>. andtW. 
 2$,thy hated hno^Udg^they would none of my Co unfe/lsllh&t is; they 
 neglettedalli therefore God rejected them ♦ 
 iVfe. This (hswes us the ignorance,and folly ofthofe,who caft off 
 
 Ordinances % and meanes of grace: though God hath commanded, 
 and appointed them, as meanes of greateft advantage to his 
 people . 
 
 'zVfe I "-^is alfo informes us why there are fo many ignorant, and 
 
 fraitlelTe perfons in the world: even becaufe they negUtl t otcare» 
 It fly ufe the meanes to know God . 
 
 W(i hS nence be ftirred up to & diligent and conftant ufe of the 
 
 meanes ofgrace } not only as to the attaymng ij grace where it is notj 
 but alio to the increafe of grace, where it is wrought-, Efpecially 
 in childhood a nd youth : I am perfwaded not one of many would 
 perifti.if Varents>ind fach as have the education of youth (them- 
 felves being Godly) did ufe all good meanes diligently, for the 
 working of grace in their hearts:Its true; the ufe of the be ft means 
 will not be effecluall without the concurrence of the fpirit e-fGod t 
 but where God gives an heart to go on in the ufe of meanes which 
 he has appointed, he will furely come fin his owne feafon) 
 and make it efTedoall . 
 
 -4nd for experienced well growen Chriftians, there is no meanes 
 to obtaine great advantages,great meafures of grace,*nd glory Jikc 
 Watching over the heart t to keepe it in a fpirituall frame , corruptions 
 doVpne , and the graces aclive t to Vvalkeclofelywith God daily in com* 
 munion -with him t to be ftill'acling faith upon Chrift^not only to receive ', 
 and draw all fupplies from him % but alfo to give , and ascribe 
 all unto him . Thefe are fundamental/ to all purpofes : 
 all externall meanes without thefe are to little or no 
 puspofe. 
 
 The 
 
a Garden of Fruit-trees, i n 
 
 The five and fiftieth Obfervation in Nature. 
 
 IF a joung Vlant or bough of a tree t fa often bended & bowed cue 
 And the lame way tit will after a certaine time>gro\fr in that pofture, 
 into which it is lo often bended, although by the courfe of Nature it 
 Would grow otherWife • 
 
 This fliadowes out unto us this Proportion i That 
 
 Frequent s^tls in things good, or evtll, beget habits* and maks all JPropofttion 
 fuch works ea[j to us . fhadomds. 
 
 Cuftome is'cal'd afecond T^aturetit make things eafy> though 
 at firft they were difficutaand fuch things ate hardly forgotten, 
 Or laid afide; Qan the Ethiopian change his skin, or the Leopard his 
 (pots, then may ye alfo do good that are accuftomed to do evill? Jer. 
 
 The hpoftle Veter faies they had their hearts -, exercifed with 
 Covetous pratlifes} fo that they could not ceafe frem fin 
 2 ?et t 2- 14. , 
 
 So alfo on the other fide: Cuftome in the wases of God does 
 firengthen habits^nd make them eafy to us,not only upon that 
 great accompt , of Communion With God in duties^ but alfo every 
 good worke is more eafy to us in refpect ofufe^xd cuftome: The 
 waies of God are naturalized to Gods peopie>by degrees, they 
 become Spiritually naturall to them . JDayly walking with Cjod^and 
 keeping the mind much in a fpirituall frame, the foule will be more 
 and more fixek,and eftablijhed in that frame; The frequent ufe 
 of thing* JS^at m alh mor a/l>or fpirituall, will make them familiar 
 to us,when the fame things to others not accuftomed to them , 
 are uncouth^ and Grange . 
 
 Let every one beware what cuftcmes they ufe,efpecial!y if begun «.,. -. 
 {n youth'.Whsn an ill cuftome is fpied out, either in the temper of the ' 
 fpirit, or outward mdnMs Wifdome to oopofe it to alter it, as 
 jfoone, as may be,for every $siB makes it mQisfaTmltar, and habits 
 .will fteaie on^and be dayly confirmed . 
 
 Pro- 
 
\ i i The fflrituall ufe of 
 
 Vrofeffors had heft confider, and beware from what Principles 
 zVfe* they A&i left Cuftome be the i'troogsft cord that drawes them 3 
 Many times when Cufoms has got ftrcngth, it refembles both 
 2^ature,and Grace, 
 
 Seeing foftome is fo (Irong; This (hould teach all, as to 
 
 X)[u beginne gnodcuftomes inyoutbjas Jboneaspoflibly may be; fo 
 
 alfo to be frequent in good works? and Veaies of bolineffe, that fo 
 
 by degrees habits may be comfirmed, and fuch things made fa* 
 
 miliar tons « 
 
 ^nd herein we (hould confider what things are 
 of greateft concernment to us, and be moft frequent 
 therein 
 
 Now "Experienced fchrifttans know, That watching ever the 
 heart , to keep downe Corruptions , or to f#pp y ejfe them at their firft 
 ri(ing , And too \eep the heart in a fpirituall 9 ana heavenly 
 frame, and in £ommunion with Cjod , is a fundamental! 
 thing , and of higbeft concernetnenE in our Conver- 
 fation . 
 
 Therefore to be frequent in Vrayer, Meditation s and other duties 
 (wherein the fpirit of (/od ufually concurrs) for keeping up of the 
 heart With God, to live in God t to have felled fhip and Communion 
 With the father ^andwith hisfonne fefus Chrift 9 is the wifdome of a 
 Chriftian: the more pure the Fcuntaine is kept, the more pure all 
 the ftreames will be.* According to the s temper of the fpiriC 
 of a man, fuch are thofe things that proceed from 
 
 it. 
 
 Vfe,and Cuftome in thefe things will make them rooreeafy to 
 usjfor befides the immediate afliftance, of the fpirit, there is the 
 podeer of cujlome fuperadded . All the Actings of grace (as 
 well as of Mature ) are mightily confirmed, and improved by 
 Cuftome « 
 
 The fix and fiftieth Obfervation in Nature. 
 
 "pRuitttrees having received fome hurt (h men, Rattle -or other* 
 
 wife) when- the husbandman appljes him/elfe to care fuch mift 
 
 * chei\es % 
 
d Garden of Fruit-trees] lT 3 
 
 cheifei(by his labours about the Roots ^and Branches) fuch Trees ufu- 
 ally are much advantaged thereby (to What they were before) and may 
 be (aid to have gotten by their former hurts* 
 
 This fhadowes out unto us this Tropofition '. 
 
 That ajflic~lions,avd whatfoever befalls the people of God; the fame 
 
 workj advantage to them • Proportion 
 
 *m, n. f ^ i , i « . JhadoWed. 
 
 %A$ Heltons, and Temptations do not only notaeiiroy us, due 
 
 contrary wife (through the Wifdcme, power .and goodmfte of god in or- 
 dering them^ they woike profit, and advantage to us. Though 
 they are bitter , and tedious for a time 7 jet afterwards they bring 
 the peaceable fruit of righteoufneffe to them that are exercifed thereby , 
 ffeb.12. 1 1. And againe,2Co?-.4. 17. your light affliclions Which are 
 but lor a moment jvorkj for you a Jarre more exceeding, and etemall 
 Weight of glory . 
 
 That great.and genera!! promife, Rom. 8.28JS full to this pur- 
 pofe, All things Work? together for good to them that love 
 God- 
 
 Yea , the advantage is ufually in this life, as well as here-, 
 after . 
 
 Icfeph ( an eminent fruit-tree) received much wrong , feverall 
 waies , hue when the husbandman takes htm in hand to 
 heale , and cure him , he does not barely do it , buc 
 alfo advance him i he gets by his Banifhment, and imprifon* 
 went . 
 
 So Daniel was not only delivered from the denne of Lions,but it 
 was an occafion of his advancevte nt , The like of Shadrach 9 Me* 
 fhach,and AbednegoJ)an»z.^9. 
 
 Job t A famous fruit- tree, having been broken, an dbrui fed with ene- 
 mies on every fide, not a Branch free.yet when the hasbandman 
 fets upon his curejherecoveis him with an advantage , he gained 
 by his lofes ♦ 
 
 David was even overwhelmed with troubles, but obferve the 
 i{fue»PfalM,Jl. 20. Thou haft /hewed me great and fore troubles ,yet 
 haft thou turned , and rtfrefhed me t &c . Thou haft in* 
 creafedmy greatneffe and comforted me on every fide. 
 
 Yea, when the people of God declare their Experiments , we 
 ufually here them fay, they have gotten by t^fflitlions . 
 
 P Sin 
 
1 1 4 The fpritudl ufe of 
 
 fin the worft cfevils } is ( by the wifdomeof God ordering it) an 
 occafton of good to tbsm, as humbling them more than ail 
 Jfflittiens . 
 
 And as Ajpclions in generall worke good to the people of 
 God, fo the greateft worke the greateft advantages, i Or. 1.5. 
 As the fu firings of Cbrift abound in us,fo our Correlation alfo abount 
 deth by Qhnft . 
 \We • Thefe things being fo: let us be patient in Tribulation, Koni. 
 
 i2.i2,Thisisa maine ground we ftiould be fo,inregaid great 
 and many advantages come by them. He corrtlleth usfor our 
 profit: Htb. 12. 10. that fte might be pertakers of hu holi- 
 uejfe . , 
 
 Therefore let as joyne with God againft our Corruptions, and 
 
 if fo,then we may count it alljoj when Vvefall into divers ttmptati* 
 
 ons t \ames 1,2 . 
 
 .-- Lee thefe things teach us to admire the wifdome, care and 
 
 2u/<?. goodneifa of God towards us,who makes the "hardffl things, the 
 
 roorfi things that befall his people, to worke together for their 
 
 good . 
 
 The feven and fiftieth Obfervation in Nature. 
 
 HTHe Husbandman makes ufe of ordinary % and common Tec/es, and 
 lnfirumtnts^ about his chiefrfl tyorkj in his Garden.his knives, 
 favt>es i fpadt3 i and other inftruments , are not of Gcld,filver^or coflly 
 mettles, neither are thty carved, or framed by any great Art , 
 but they are plaine ordinary Inftruments, which he makes ufe of 
 to Engraft hts fruit*trtes r and to doe his chief (ft worses about 
 them . 
 
 This (hadowes out- unto us, That 
 
 Cod (for the mcfi part) ufeth meant and ordinary men , and 
 e Propo(ition wanes, for effefling of the g'eateflworkj in the world. 
 
 fiadowed* VWhzt greater Vtcrks do we r^de of, than the deliverance of 
 
 lfraelaut £gjpt , by figxes, and wonders? t heir paffstge through 
 the Rf rf (ea, and the barren fyildeynejfg } over Jordan , and 
 
 their 
 
a Garden of Trait -trees, 1 1 ^ 
 
 their conquering great nations,a»d fettlement in Canaan} 
 
 Now God did not ufe fome great Monarch, as his Inftrument, 
 butMofes, who was ca!d from keeping fhsepe, and made Inftru- 
 mentallinmany of thefe great works, and having done much, 
 then Jof&ux(Afofes his fervantjhe muft doe the reft . 
 
 Gedeon f he was bat of a poor e family ,and leafi in his fathers houfe, 
 Jadgrf. 1 5. being following a meane /mploymenf,threfhirjg corne, 
 when God cald him to make him generall of an Army, to worke 
 a great deliverance for his people; which alfo was done by weak? 
 meanes\ 300 men, Chap.y.j* 
 
 Elijha was taken from the ?LVp to he a great Vrophet,iK\tig; 
 
 J9> I9» 
 
 David was following the (hsep when God called him to be 
 King over his people , and paiTed by Sliab his brother a more 
 likely perfon* And alfomade ufe of 'this /mm// and nteane Inftnt* 
 jftent(by a poore (Under raeanes)to deftroy (joUah^a great Giant, 
 and consequently , a great army of the Thilijlins 9 iSam> 
 16. 17. 
 
 Amot (a heardfman was called to be a Tropkt, Chapt." 
 i. 1. 
 
 Shepheards were made ufe of, to reveale the moft joyfull 
 newes that ever was made knowen to the world; the birth of our 
 Saviour % Luk^' 
 
 The esfpoftles, and many of the difciples ofChrift,wetemeane 
 perfans t and caid from loty imploymentst to follow the greatefl worke 
 in the Worlh,to preach the Gofpell . 
 
 They were not the learned Rabbies t not Eloquent Oratours, nor 
 the difputers of this world>zs the lApoftle fpeaks,i Cor- 1. but men 
 of low Conditions, thefe were called to preach the Golpill % for the 
 converfion of foules;2Vjtf with the inticing Ipeech of mans wifdome, 
 but indemonflr&tionof the (firit,and of 'power ,lCor. 2.4. 2{jt With 
 wifdome of Words ,lefl the crojfe of £hrift Jbottld be made of none fffetl, 
 iCor.1.17. 
 
 God is pleafed to effeft this, and other his greatefl Work* in the 
 world by meane hflruments.and meanes, that his owne power may 
 be the more feene in them ; foe if the greatefl> and m r fl Itk^ly 
 Inflrume nts, in the judgment of men, were im ployed in the grea- 
 test »er^f,they would take all for mod of) the honour to them- 
 
 P 2 felves, 
 
1 * 6 The ftlrituall ufe of 
 
 felve?, and others would give it them. So God ftoold loofe 
 
 b« honour. Yea, God hath deflroyed , and will deflroy the 
 
 ■wifaomeof this world, by thofe perfons and thsnp, the the 
 
 w°«i«con]ptsfooli(h,ic«r.i.27.e^^ 
 
 tf the*>or!d>te confound the Wife, and God bath chofm the w e A e 
 
 things of the world to confound the mighty things .verf.zS And vile 
 
 things of the World.and things which are defptfelhalh God dosfm 
 
 and thyngs Which are not, to bring to nought thhgs thai 
 
 As God hath done, fo he will do ftill great Worh in the world, 
 tj me*ne,andlo» Inftruments and m?anes : he huh areat, and mi a htv 
 fotkjto bring to paffe in ihe Nations, in bringing them into fob, 
 jetton to our Lord Chnft. He will deCirov AnTicbrifi even all 
 thnopp-okhlmM Will level! the Mountains, andenlargthe km- 
 tome of hi* deare fonne, and fet up his Throne, and put the fcepterinto 
 
 mil hjldhtj holy Cuj ]er*j4lc» % and mak* it a praife in the, 
 
 Jt n£T K ,5T Wi r G ,° d d °f ** Z™ '%'>"*»' laments 
 Z ffi h k t »fc*°&&*rGolde* «Jfrr»*,*,,. carved, and 
 Polliflied by arr,the mofi eminent m tn% & ofhiohcflPUe&eJleew in 
 tbewfdfSurp noxBat God hath chofen thefodijhthmp of the World 
 to confound the things that are mighty ^c. i Or. 1.27. That is- 
 per[ons, a ndthwgs wfrch ciraall wife men, in their Judgment ad 
 compt^; mdjoolifh although in the Judgment of God ehey 
 ireothetwife eftecmcd:/«r the wea^efe, dndfnlijbntfc of Cod 
 and of his people fas men count weakntf, znafool^effe) are 
 Wronger, and wifer,than the firengtb,and wifdome of the world 
 z'er/*zs , • 
 
 ftA wjrme fhdl threfh the mmntaines, and hate them [mill 
 as Sfffo. £fay. 41. 14. 15. Surely,* Wormemuft be in the 
 nana or lome mighty one* to be enabled to doe fuch treat 
 things . £ '"*■ 
 
 Hath not Cod already done great things in our dales, even 
 before our eyes by Inftrumentf and metnes (time tfaiW 
 unlikely and of fraallaccompt With the carnal! world? have not 
 VH*kfiI*fir*mtnts,<*d manes beeae like the Cloud that Sliah's fer~ 
 w«fiw rife out of the fea^i firft* bigger the, a mans hLd % 
 
 but 
 
a Garden of Fruit-trees] 1 1 7 
 
 but afterwards it covered the whole heavens? 
 
 Have not Princes, Lords ^nd the mightiefl: men both in Church, 
 andfiate,yea wholeNatiens,\\M£ they not been fubdued by a hand- 
 full of men>whom*their adverfaries flighted^ zsGoliah did David, 
 faying in themfelvcs,and one to another, we /ball presently (wallcw 
 them up'Do not a33 the Trees of the field kno^i, that the Lord ha'<-h 
 brought downe the high tree, and exalted the loty Tree , hath dyed 
 up the greene tree , and made the dry tree to flomifb} £z(\. 
 17. 24, 
 
 Many Inflances (were it convenient ) might be brought of 
 men* avid meams , V?hofe beginnings were but weak* , and [null 
 whereby God hath brought to paffe great , and mighty 
 wor^s . 
 
 Beware of defpifing meane Jnflrtiments,andweake meant s which Vfe\ 
 God for the moil part makes ufe of> for bringing to paffe great 
 things. r Defpife net the day of [mall things, Ezel^.q., 1 0. for Cod will 
 build Ierufaltm not by might ,ncr by power Jiitt by hisfpirit . Adeam 
 and IoVp Infiruments (liaSI be ftirred up by his fpirit , and fhs!! 
 do his great works in the world. And thcfe Infiruments fhail 
 be Cure to have the men of the world, with their wifdome, to 
 flight and defpife l\\zm,i%%anballat,andTobia did die Jewes $ 2^ffe. 
 4. ijZ^.what do the fe feeble ]?wes J &c} £ven that which they build, if 
 afoxgoeup 9 he fhzll even b?e*k$ doftne their fione wall. And one 
 reafon is fbefides the difegreemene offic/h and fpirit) becaufethe 
 wifdome } and fir ength ^and glory of the peopie of God,is vailed under 
 alow, and meane Condition in the world. And. though ly their \X>if- 
 domethej deliver a city, or do feme great worlds, yet SccL 9.16. 
 the poore mms wifdome is defpifed , and his words are not 
 heard. 
 
 Upon the fameaceompt the wijdome, and worlds of onr Savi- 
 eurweit flighted, and n^gleclcd, though he did works as never 
 any did,4tid fpskc as never man (pake, Matih,!^.^* Isnot this ths 
 Carpenters fonnefverf. 5 j, Th*y wire offended in. him • Eve ft) it is 
 now with his iSrUmbers. 
 
 But who arc thou,0 man/that replysll againO: God, in def* 
 pifing,and qaarrefling with meane Inftrutnents/ 1 What if God wil- 
 ling to for. w his power, and Vi if dome in weake Infiruments , and 
 msams 9 hy afide, orlec alone, more m'mm infiruments % and more 
 
 P 3 likslT 
 
1 1 8 Tfa fpirituall ufe of 
 
 likely meanest wilt thou not give him leave to do what he will 
 with his owne?is thine eye evils, becaufe he is good? Hath he 
 not faid , the weak things of the world fliall confound the mighty? 
 hath he faid it , and (nail he not do it yea, he hath fa.d if, 
 and done it, and he will doe it, untill he performe all 
 hi) pleafure , and thofe that cppofe him fhall he afha- 
 med . 
 
 The eight and fiftieth Obfervation in Nature. 
 
 ■ HT Hough there are many good fruits in an Orchard, yet 
 foms are more choice and fpeciall fruits than feme pthers 3 
 and accordingly are of greater price , and efteeme among 
 men. 
 
 This Similitude (hadowes out unto us this Propofitioni 
 That 
 
 The 'Prayers , Sermons , writings , difcourfe , and work* of 
 ,_, - , feme godly men, are much more fpirhuall then of feme e- 
 
 J * tUovt 
 
 Jbado'Wed , 
 
 thers . 
 
 (7ods people are of feverall (landing 1 ?, and degrees of grace; 
 
 fome have {mall measures s fome greater m eafures of grace, fome arc 
 
 but babes in Chrift 3 others are Jlrong men, fome fathers, I ~$ok.2» 
 
 32. 13* fome hive their conventions much in heaven, their 
 
 fpirits are much taken up about fpirituall things, they walke 
 
 clofely with God, and have neere, and fweete Communion with 
 
 Cod: they are little converfant with the things below, bat are 
 
 mod taken up with God, and the things of Codj Bat now others 
 
 (though godly perfons) walke at a greater diflance from God, 
 
 and therefore have leffe of his Image, they are leffe changed than 
 
 others: As the Apoftle faies of Bodies, iCor. 15.40. There are 
 
 Celeftiall bodies, and bodies Terrefiia!l f (o it may be faid of the Spi- 
 
 rits,evcn of fuch as are Godly; fome have their minds much in 
 
 heaveo,by keeping watch over their hearts 5 and walking in daily 
 
 communion with God, others though they have the life of grace 
 
 in them,yet it is very weak, and fetble, they are very much car- 
 
 mil, and earthly. Ohl there is n&uch difference betweene the 
 
 fpirits 9 
 
a Garden of Fruit-trees, up 
 
 fpirits, and lives , of feme beleivers and fome others: fome are 
 filled with the fpirit, as Stephen, Atl.6^.Amanfull of faith , and 
 of the holy Ghofl, others have but froall meafures of the fpirit, 
 and their faith and othei graces,are but weake.and (lender: CMat* 
 1 6.2> Oye of little faith . 
 
 And nowj according to the meafure, and degrees of grace \ 
 holme ffe t or Image of God in believers, are all thofe things that pro- 
 ceeds from them; they are more oc leiTe fpirituall. As accor* 
 ding to the Forme, and T^ature that is in the Materiall fruit" 
 tree, f/tch are the fruits, that it beares j And thence it is that 
 fome have better fruits then fome others . According 
 to the fpring or fwntaine/uch are the fireames. 
 
 Let this (line us up to ftrive,and labour after higher ^and great l ^f e ; 
 ter degrees of grace, and to keepe it a&ive,by conftant, and clofe 
 VQalkingVohb Qod, that fo all that proceedeth from us may be ac- 
 cordingly (piritftall.Hefeby will be unfpeakable advantages to us: 
 The more holy, tod fpirituall any foule is, the more God de- 
 lights in it t arid communicates himfelfe to it, And of higher ac* 
 compt all the fruits of fuch a foule are, both with God, and his 
 people that are moft fpirituall. 
 
 The fpirituall man judgeth all things, he hath a fpirituall eye, 
 and a fpirituall ?alite to tafi fpirituall fruits , of what reltfh 
 they ate,and according to their fpiricualneile he prizeth them , 
 if his owne fpitit be in a fpirituall frame. 
 
 The husbandman prizeth a few choice, and fpeciall apples \ or other 
 fruits i more than a Bu/hdl of ordinary kinds : /iccordingly does 
 the Myfticail husbandman accompt of fpirituall fruits, ana fo 
 fhould we. 
 
 The nine and fiftieth Obfervation in Nature. 
 
 'N grafted fruit* trees have th-ee great enemies, on? from n>ithin,and 
 two from Veithmt; fi>fl t the(vyi>£rfapoftbeftoi.kj, \tcondiy,cartleffe 
 perfonSf thirdly , bad aires. 
 
 This (hadowes out unto us: That 
 
 Rigererate perfons have xbre? great enemies, we in^card } & two out' Proportion 
 nvarAfhepfbjhe world^nd the dsvilU Thcugh flwdototd* 
 
120 The ffirituall ufe of 
 
 1 hough there are very many pregnant Similitudes between 
 LMateriall, and LMjiftkall Fruit-trees, yet in this particular, 
 there is a great dijpmllitude. That is, the ftock^ of the Ma- 
 teria 11 fruit) tree Is by Nature wild } fo^er } b*rjh, and ofiba^fap 
 (a frai-.tree ot the like) bat the Graft is of a good Nature, taken 
 from fame choice and fpeciall tree, which being grafted upon 
 a flock of a worfekind, although it be predominant and rule 
 in bringing forth good fruits, according to its ownc Nsture, 
 yeti't is fomething imbafedj and made worfe by the badnefle of 
 ibeftock. 
 
 Now it is contrary in the CMy(!i;dl fruit-tree : There the 
 
 .T,. . r . j .. . , c , . _, . a , * [tuck is perfeEth pood, and pre- 
 *Thssts fo when a believer is ingrafted into Chrtft, i x ■L ^ J t j 
 
 but when the word is ingrafted into the heart, then ttsus^nC ttie Grafts corrupt , and 
 the Similitude holds in this particular alfo, in that mmghtflzt in thefe ffiaine ,' and 
 (as in the ruturallfruit-treej the /fac^is bad, and the principal! refpe&s (as in many 0« 
 grafted. The heart of man is altogether corrupt thers » thg Similitude hoUs, in 
 by nature, but the wri, and eedofgrace, engrafted, fh A f «•<-*; v« *llirs 
 
 and fowen in the hem, is pcrfcftly good, and tDaC .™ e 8^". r ««»y« all its 
 pntim, nounthmenc from the flock, 
 
 and in that there are two Na* 
 turesbath in Materially and My fiicall fruk trees ( in the Jtoc^t 
 and Graft) and both drive one with the other, as all contraries 
 (joyned) doe . 
 This being premifed,! proceeds with the ?rmfith*£ 
 One of our great enemies is the fltfh^ or Corruption of T^ature, 
 this is our greatefl enemie, and doss us mofl mifcheife, Rom.?* 
 21.1 find a law^ that 9ehen I would do good, evill is prejent with me, 
 GaL$*ij* the fie fh lufleth againfl the fpirit^&c . 
 
 Secondly,?/?* world by its Commands \thr eat s, perfections, Qoun» 
 els^erfwaftons y Allurements^an(i Examples ,ts laboring to draw as 
 from God,]oh, 15. 19. and 1J062. i6» 
 
 Thirdly ,t he devil 7 like a roaring Lyon goes about [eeking whom 
 lUfe* he way devoure, P^.98. 
 
 Hence we may fee the grofle roiflake of thofe whothlnkoand 
 |3y, r hey are free from Cor^fio»,which Vaul complained of, Row,' 
 j. 1 j Sin dtioelhth in me, and ver {.2^.0 wretched man that I am, "ft ho 
 Jhal Ids liver me from this body of death? 
 
 I am perfwaded the more fpirituall any Chriflians are, the 
 
 more 
 
a Garden of Fruit-trees. 121 
 
 more clearly they fee their Corruptions , although they sre wea- 
 ker in fuch than in others. Atoms, or CMotet sppeare in the 
 Beames of thefunnejbut noun a dimme light . 
 
 Seeing we have three great enemies to encounter with, this iXJ r el 
 fhould make us to put on the whole Armour of God, and to 
 Hand upon our Guard. and wstch agiinft them. 
 
 The fixtieth Observation in Nature. 
 
 ^ Rafts before they are joy ned to the flock* muft endure ( or din •at 
 JJrilj ) mar.y difficulties, under the hand of the Husbandman^ 
 as cutting off from the Tree, lying by for a time (it may be fever all 
 rviektyr months)after that) cutting to the pith t or heart With a fhxrp 
 
 J 4 Seeobferv. 
 
 This is another Similitude of the ftate of Myfiicall Fruit- 62. 
 trees, md fhadowes out unto us this Vropofition. 
 
 That the people of God in their Conversion (for the meft part) Vropofit ion 
 go'through many fir aights,axd difficulties . fhadoTcA * 
 
 \ hofe whom God intends to Ingraft into Chrift, the fpirit firfl: 
 convinced them of fin, he inlightens their understandings to fee 
 whcrefan^l in what cafe) they are by Nature^ and of their uttec 
 inability to help themfelves out of it: And by degrees cuts them 
 off from all things in themfelves ; Their Reafon, mfdeme , skill, 
 LeamwgyQifts \all their duties 9 and performances ^all their own righm 
 m^/wjf/Xaiiputtogetherjis but as vanity and emptineffe, theres 
 nothing in any thingof their own to he!p them , or do them 
 good^o that the fpirit becomes a fpirit of bondage to them for 
 a time, letting them fee nothing but terror, and fad (igbtf, A 
 ftrict LaW , or Covenant of wsrkj binding them over lojaftice 
 and Wrath, eternal! death . 
 
 So that hereby they are cut to the heart, and are put upon en- 
 quiring,tnd feeking which way to get out ofthisCafe,^#.f 2. 37* 
 what fhzll We doe f 
 
 Some are kept longer under feares and terrors, and are csft 
 lower than others, they are brooght in fuch a condition, as that 
 they will be glad to receive Chriil upon any Conditions ; 
 
 Q then 
 
122 The ffiritualfyife of 
 
 then rh€ fpirit of God opens tbeireyes to fee a way out of their 
 nufedes, then he holds forth Chriff unto them in the tenders 
 of the Gofpell,Oh how glad is fcch a fouie-to receive Chrifl: 
 upon any tesrms, upon any tesrmes in the world/ Then the 
 fouie longs t and hungers, and thirds to be fatisfied with Chriir, 
 and accoraprsali thing? but as dang and drofie in comparifon 
 of him. Then the fpirit of God leads the foule (as by the 
 ' ban J) to lay feoii upon Cbrift/ociofe with bim.and by little, and 
 little works a perfwafion in the hear? that Chrifl is his , and that he 
 isCbrifts,Dpon the Accompt of that wW, prttiotu, {me Qo- 
 venantof grace*, in which are ail the glorious fweue promifes of 
 the Gofpell included . 
 
 Zet ProfejpMr-j try them fete wbcrtlier ever they found the 
 iVfe. cafe to be thus with them, before they had a perfwafion of the 
 love of (jodjeaft they deceive themfelves. Many build their 
 houfe upon the fands, again ft which when the Raine^ and the winds y 
 and flood's beate {when Temptations arife ) it will fall, CAtat* 
 7. 27 . 
 
 Yet it is not with all alike in their coming to Chnft, fome 
 clofewith him upon eafiertearms than forne others 5 howfoever 
 in all thatcome to Chrifl, there mnft be aienie, and figh.r of 
 their mifer y by (infas they are under the Covenant of Vwrks ) 2nd 
 their great neede of Chnfttodeliver them from it, and thereup- 
 on a deli re to reft upon him by futh.for Jollification, and ac- 
 ceptance withCod through him. Of this fee more at large* 
 Obfeivnionin 'JS^ature 25. 
 
 The one and fixtieth Obfervation in Nature. 
 
 r f"*He Husbandman (upon eccafiott) praifes^and commends his fruit* 
 * trees when the) be are many } and good frmtfjome for one property, 
 <gnd (omefor another* 
 
 Prepofitio* This fhadowes qui to us, That 
 
 fizdowed. when the people of God bring forth good fruits, Cjod himfelfe doth 
 
 praife and commend them o 
 
 TheZord takes pleafurc in his people, palling by their in- 
 firmities 
 
a Garden of Fruit-trees ] 123 
 
 firmitiesjand taking notice of what is good in them. 
 
 It was a very high commendation that God gave of Abraham, 
 Gen. 18,10. / kno^ him that he will command his Children, and 
 his houfehold after him , and they (ball keepe ths Way of the 
 Lord* 
 
 God tooke notice of the good fruits that Vhyneku brought 
 forth, and commends him, and rewards him, (i\T«/»^*i 5* 11. 12* 
 &c.) in xhithe was zealous for his god. He faid of Dxvid, 
 That-fo was a mtn after his ow»e heart. So of AfofefiT^um. 1 2.7. 
 Jl4y [ervjwt CMofes is faithful I in all mine hou/e* And Nathaniel 
 Job. 1 . 47. Bthuld an J(rae/ite indtede-, in Whom there is no 
 guile t 
 
 Pardculers neede not be multiplied: one or twofcriptores may 
 fervef >t more , Rom.lig, Their praife is not of menjbut of Cjod\ 
 and iC or ' l °- l %' Not he that commmieth h'tnifelfe^is approved, hut 
 he that the Lord commendeth . 
 
 This is much forthecomfort,and encouragement of all that are _., -. 
 upright in heart , God will commend fuch; Though it may be 
 their fruits are none of thefairefton theoutfide in the eyes of 
 fnen,they have not bulke, nor fhape t nor colour to commend chem 
 unto men , yet being we// taftedfavoury fruits y having t6c Re- 
 /ifh of truth, (incerity, Love,.and right endt y the husbandman likes 
 them well, and will commend them even before menzndtsfngels, 
 Matth 25. 24 Well done thou good and faithfull fervant, thou haft 
 beene faithfull over a few things &c. enter thou into the \oy of thy 
 Lord,(o againe ver(.2$. 
 
 The two and fixtieth Obfervation inNature. 
 
 TT Here is a great change wrought upon fruit* trees bj Engraf- 
 ting! Before the J brought forth fewer and naughty fruits 9 but now ^ €e Objerv. 
 fkafant. 41 -and 60. 
 
 This is another Similitude &c. and lhadows out unto us this 
 
 Proportion, ' ' 
 
 That perfons by Regeneration have a great Change wrought in Vropejitiort 
 them . fhadowed * 
 
 ^2 All 
 
124 The ffmtuall ufe of 
 
 All by Nature bring forth bitter and naughty fruits fowir (/rapes, 
 G rapes of Cj all s theiy clufiers are bitte*lhr>d there is noe way poflibiy 
 to bnng them to bz&ie good fruits 3 but by engrafting thim into 
 Jefm Chrifi . 
 
 Now R< generation ,or implanting into Ch^i^wo>kj a gnat change 
 - throughout the whole man, upon ali the faculties ofthefoule, 
 andin (ffonverfatian. The under ft anting which before wa§ darke, 
 . and ignorant of fpirttuail things, then becomes (by iimle, and 
 \ktte)inlightned and apprehenfive of fpirituall things, Hi?£,io. 32. 
 after ye were illuminated &c Then??// which before was cr-ofle 
 andftubborne, oppoftng the will of God, becomes (in fome 
 meafurej obed.enc, and inclining to what is of God; and to 
 affrdt (pkhm\\th'wg$,as fpiritpsallfor themfelvcs. 
 
 The <?ff>#<o»/,which (before implanting into Chrifi) were cold, 
 and deid towards Chrift, and the things of God, then have heat 
 and life in them, they {lirre and move after fpirituall things. 
 
 V nr (generate per fens cannot fee, nor judge of fpirituall things, 
 no more than of vifible outward objecls without light, but 
 when the worke of grace comes into the foule, then light fhiaes 
 there, Ephef.j.S. Te were {ometimss darkyeffeybut are no® light in 
 the Lord: fo 1 (for. 4.6. 
 
 By this Ingrafting there is a Transforming: a change of the Mind, 
 Rem. 11. 2* bi ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, there is 
 a new heartland a new fpirit t £z,ek-36*26, 
 ^l e ' This being fo,it coneernes us ferioufly to confider, upon what 
 
 grounds we build our hopes of eternaSl life, for except this 
 Change be wrought,? xcept a mm be borne againe % he cannot fee the 
 kingdome ofGodffohn 3.3. what ever we do let us give all diligence 
 to make our callings and Sleclionjmer Many deceive themfelvcs : 
 O what a fad thing is it to be miflaken in this great, and moft 
 concerning buftnejfe , . whereon depends our Ecern&lt welfare/ 
 There isnofalvauon out of ChtiCr, and if any man bein Chrift he 
 is a ne^f (fre&ture s lCor.^.\ 7. There are new 'Principles, and difpo* 
 fit'ijns in the foule.contrary to thofe of Corrupt T^ature : confider 
 it ferioufly ^mS give all diligence to make pur calling and JEktlion 
 fure . 
 
 The 
 
a Garden of Fruit-trees. 1 2 
 
 The fixtie third Obfervation in Nature. 
 
 :F one matter or jubfiance in trees are made fez >er<tll 'At'/} tuft 
 * fubfiances,Of the (a? in %ruit»trees are framed the Bar^wood, 
 Vith, Leaves, Buds 7 Bloffoms, [talks, fruits ,and feed: all of t htm 
 diftinft, and of divers 2{atttres,& yet formed by one and the fame 
 fpirit ^and (apari/ingfram the roote of the tree. 
 
 This Similitude (hidowes out unto us, That 
 
 The fever all Cj-fts and Graces in believers, are wrought by the 
 fame fpirit . Proportion 
 
 Gifts and Graces in tfee people of God differ not only \ Q J^ a ^ e d.- 
 degrees, but alfo in Nature, and kind (as they are diftind Gifts 
 andgraces) yet all of them .framed by the fpirit of God, for 
 the edifying,and building up of his Church. 
 
 Someexceli in Gifts, yet are but low in Graces, fome others 
 are weake \n Gifts , but ftrongin Graces: Tbty have a flrong 
 faith-,* fervent love, much humility^ invincible courage, and z,eale t 
 and would foonerfufTer for Chnfljtban fome others who ex, 
 cell in Gifts . 
 
 Thefe things the Apoftle fhewes at large, iCcr. 12. 14. 
 2\£ew> there are diver fities of Gifts but the fame fpirit» and there 
 are diver ft ties of ' adminift rations but the fame Lor d^ and diver fities of 
 operations, but the f.. me Qodrvho fyorketb all in all . 
 
 And as in the Material! fruit- tree al. the feverall and diftincl 
 fubftances mutually concurre ^according to the Law of Nature) 
 to the incre;ife 5 and making up of a faire^and comiy fruit* tree , not 
 only for the profit of the Husbandman, but alfoforthe increale, 
 & multiplying of the fame fpecies,orkindjfolikewife do all the fe- 
 deral I <?«/*/ and Graces in believers (wrought by the fame fpirit) 
 ferve mutually as well for the enlarging and multiplying the 
 branchesof die Vine^tree, theChurch ef God f is the honour of the 
 Husbandman that planted it. 
 
 This points out whither we ftiould go for Gift s , and Graces-, iVft, 
 and the increafeof lheni,Jam.i.5>ij, they come downe from the fa- 
 ther of lights. 
 
 Qj Stion* 
 
2 "2 6 The ffiritudl ufe of 
 
 2 Vfil Stronger Chriftians ought not to defpife, or neglcft the 
 
 loftefi gifts and graces \r\ their brethren, becaufe they are the 
 fame in kj-id wuh theirs ,and from the fame fpirit. 
 
 j £>/*. From hence the weakeft believers may take comfort, they 
 
 have ihe feme fpirit dwelling in them as the flrongeO Members, 
 yea, thelamejpirit thstisin the head, who in due time will 
 draw all of them to himfelfe. 
 
 The four and fixtieth Obfervation in Nature. 
 
 . HThere are very many Troftts^ and pleafures found in the Husband- 
 mans Garden of fruit* trees bath to himfelfe and others', fruit' trees 
 bring many profits to a mans efiate, Profits to his body, to his Mind, 
 to his name; And there are Tle&fures to all the fenfes: He alfo invite? ± 
 and bids his freinds welcome into his Gardan,and makes them partakers 
 with him of his Profits and pleafures . 
 
 This is another Similitude and fhadowes out unto us this 
 Proportion , That 
 Proportion There are exceeding many and great Profits t and fhafures found in 
 JhadoWed. the Church of God. 
 
 The Church is compared to a Vineyard, wherein are many choice 
 plants, E/ay. $.1.2. &C. It is called an Orchard, and garden of 
 ¥ruit- trees, Cant. 4 12.13. A garden inclofed is my fifter,my fpoufe, 
 thy plants are an Orchard of Pomegranates rvith pleafant fruits, 
 Mr Bolton* Now as in Vineyards ^Orchards % Gardens,&c,'yjh\c\\ are,as a holy 
 man faies, as t\\eftarrs>&rA Paradifes of the Earth) there are many 
 Profits, and Pleafures found, {0 are there likewife in the Church 
 of God , 
 
 There are Profits to all parpofes JTim 4.8 .Godlinefe isProfitable to 
 all things ,againe,foz/. 3. 18. 1 Councell thee to buy of me gold, that 
 thoa maifi be rich. The people of God are made richby Chrift, 
 io that they lay up Treafures, they have a tnafure \in their hearts, 
 Match. 1 2.3 5.,and treafures in heaven UMatth. 6« 20. God is their 
 fathered all his Attributes are laid out for themj They have an 
 inheritance immortalized that fadeth noe away,referved in heaven 
 foe them • 
 
 They 
 
a Garden of Fruit-tree s. 127 
 
 They have infinite treasures, becaufe Chrifl is theirs, and ail 
 his fulneffe- 
 
 And as there are thcfe Profits found in the Garden of fruit- tries, 
 the Church of God; fo alfo there are P/eafures in abundance; all her 
 waits are waies cfp/ea(antne(fe } Prov. 3, 17. As the husbandman 
 invites hisfreinds into Iw fruit* garden, to eat of his fruits, and 
 drink of his wine s made of them, and to partake of all hh P/eafures 
 there^ fo does the Myfticall Husbandman invite his freinds to par- 
 take of the delights that are in his Garden, £am. 5. 1. I am com? 
 into my garden my fifter, mj (poufe, I have gathered my mirths 
 With my fpicei J have eaten my hony combe With my hony % 
 1 'have drunks my wine* "With my milk?' Eat Qfreinds, drink?) yea 
 drinke abundantly O beloved I 
 
 And as we fit in sArbmrs&nd under the (hade of trees in Gar- 
 dens in fommer feafon , and eat pleafant fruits and drinke wines 
 made of them: fuch delights aifo are in this Myfticali garden. 
 Cant. 2.3. As the Appletree among the trees of the Wood , 
 foil my beloved among the fonnes . I (ate downs under his jhxddnp 
 with great delight) and his fruit was f mete to my taft . ver(. 4. 
 He brought me imo the Barque ting houfe*t\x\& in the banqueting hvufe 
 there are plealant wines,to cheare 5 & refrefh the \\st\x,mixcd Wines 
 Vrov^Q 2-Wine of thePomegranate ,Can.o.i.I Would caufe thee to drink, 
 offpicedwine>ofthe juyce of my Pomegranate. There is both tea* 
 fting,and Banqueting in tbnGarden cffrmtnrees, E[ay % 25c <S # 
 &A feafl of fat things, a feaficf wines on the Lent, of fat things fall of 
 marrow, of Wines on the Lhs we// refined. There is variety of all 
 dainties^and freewe'cGrri-ejthey need notfpare: the Mafierofthe 
 fea-ft faies freely from his heart: SatOfninds^ drink , yea dtink^a* 
 bnndantly beloved Cant. 5. 
 
 So then we fee, there are variety and abundance of Profits, and 
 Vkafttns in the Church of God. 
 
 This therefore may be improved for the invitation and encou* 1 J e * 
 rsgement of thofe thas are yet out ofthis inclcfed Garden to 
 enter into it, thofe that did never yet feafl nor banquet with 
 Chrift there, nor fo much as tafi: of any of his delicates. O let 
 them all take nonce of thefe things, and confider where they 
 are,and what they area doing. Tbey are now in a dry and 
 barren wilderMffe> where thsre is a dearth , a fcarcity and wane 
 
 of 
 
128 The ffirituall ttfe of 
 
 of all profitable s>x\& pleafant things, they are now with the prodi- 
 gal! feeding fwine, and grafping empty htisk,s to fati«fie them* 
 fdves, being ready to famifii for want of foode^hiie they might 
 have bcesd enough, and the fatted C a( f e t0 f eec * upon.- if they 
 will corns into this phafant Garden, there they ftuil have a 
 feafl of fat thing; , of wine on the lees Well refined. 
 
 Theyfhii! have all that their hearts can de(ire,P/*/.2!7-5. they 
 (hall have ]*oy,andpeace,and full fatisfa&ions t there they (hill 
 have Chri0, and ail hisfaineife made theirs: there they fliall 
 have God for their Portion, in whom they (hill find infinitely 
 more happinefle, and fatisfaclion.tban in all the Creatures both 
 in heaven and earth. Therefore come into this Garden.now, even 
 «ofr, while it is called to day, and be partakers of the Profits, and 
 'iZJfe phafuresof it. 
 
 Let all thofe who dwell in this Garden inclofed, and are parta- 
 kers of all thefe great priviledg^s, confider, and admire the abun- 
 dant lovejSndkindnefle of God towards them, and wslkein fome 
 meafure anfwerable thereunto. There are fome of the freinds 
 ofChrift with whom he feafb, and banquets frequently: letting 
 them find the powerful! workings of his fpirit.eftibhlhiOg, and 
 refrefh ng their (picks, in many difcoveries of his love to them, 
 alTurance of the pardon of (in,freedome from Hell, Sathan, the 
 condemning power of the LaVp,or (fovenant ofworl^s^c, di Cove- 
 ring to them, that all the waies and proceedings of his providences 
 towards them are in Wtfdome, Love 7 and Olfercy, to the increafe 
 of grace here, and to ric them for glory hereafcer,his fpirit wit- 
 ne01r»g,and fealing unto them the unchangeable love of God in 
 Chriftjin the Covenant of free grace: whereby they have an habitu- 
 all , and well grounded aflurance of their prefsnt ftite of 
 ^ happinefle , and of their perfeverance in it unto the end; 
 And then an exaltation unco infinite glory, unto all Eter- 
 nity. 
 
 Thefe, and fach like, are the difhes and dainties in the Feafis, 
 and Banquets that are found in this Cj&rden inclofed the Cttrch of 
 God. 
 
 The 
 
a Garden of F nth-trees] 1 2 p 
 
 The fix tie fifth Obfervationin Nature. 
 
 HP He husbandman does carefully fence hh Orchrsd s or Garden 
 of fruit ttrees round about, be makes a fVall a Vale t hedg, ditch or 
 [cmsfence or ether on every fide of his Garden, that no C&ttle , nor 
 any other enemies may anoy,or hurt it. 
 
 This fhidowes out unto us: That 
 
 The Qmrchof God is encompajfed, and, preferved by God him- p fl r • 
 
 W 8 ' JhlZeZ 
 
 The Prophet Efcy fpeaking of he Lords Vineyard, Chapl $. 2. 
 fates.* He fenced *r,or(.as it is in che Mirgent)^ made aWall about it, 
 that is: he himlelfe is about it s P/*/.i 25. 2. As the hills are round 
 about ]grti(dem t fo it the Lord round about his people % from hence- 
 forth even fir ever. 
 
 All the Attributes of God are for the fafty, and prefervation 
 of his people, P/.y, 12, With favour /halt thou compare him, as with 
 a JheildAo of his poWer,Mjdcme,faithfulneffe &c* This was the 
 hedg thatSathah fa w was about ]ob.ch4p.i'JO.Vlafl not thou made an 
 hzdg about him , and about his houfe, and about all that he hath on 
 tvtry fide}lKi. 6. 1 7. There Vdere Charets, and horfes round about SU~ 
 fha\ which were Angels^ for the preservation ofEltJha • as the 
 Prophet hath it Vfal. 68.17. tbe Charets of 'God are 20000 even 
 thoufandso] Angels:io the Angels are ft sll miniftring fpirits to all 
 the faitbfull.God gives them a charge to keep his people in all 
 their waits, P/4/.91.1 1. 
 
 The Church of God is called a garden, a garden cotn- 
 pafled, and fence d- 3 Cant. 4. n.a garden inclofedismy 0er t my 
 fpoufe. 
 
 This is found,and unfpeskabie confolation to all that feare 
 Go&,The?ower,ypifdomei Love t MercyjfaithfulnejfeO?God, even * e * 
 
 God himfelje compafleth them round about: they dwell in God , 
 Job. 17.21. and 1 Joh. 4. 16. who, or what then can hurt them, 
 or prevaiie igainft them? Souldiers within zftrong impregnable Ga- 
 y*/o»,neede not feare a befieging enemy,if they have all things 
 neceiTary, and convenient for them there,fothe people of God 
 
 . R dwell 
 
1 3 o The ffirituall ufe of 
 
 dwell i»Gesl\t\ whom is all fulnefle,!:/*;. 33.16. He [hall hxtll 
 on highjoii place cfdifincefh^ll bs the munition of Rocks bread [ball 
 be givin him,hi$ waters [hull be furtx fee here the fafetyof fuch as 
 ftareGod; The Tetoer wherein they are 3 is fo high that no ene- 
 my can poffibly fcale it, neither can they undermine ir, it is 
 built upon a Rot\cr Roeks^mA they have provifion enough with* 
 mjjt-ead andrvatcr^ which is underftood ail the fuinefle vi God, 
 given outborh in temporals and fpirieuals 1 fo that the Gates of 
 hell (all the powers of men, and devitfs combining together a- 
 gainfr fhe-rn) ftnil opt prevaile over them: nay their enemies 
 (hall bedeftroyed in their ittempisifot God is a fVall-of fire round 
 about bis people, Zeck.l.^.anda confirming fire, Heb. 12,29. ail the 
 enemies of Cod, and of his people (hall be confumed by if. 
 
 So then; we feeche fafety and happineffe of all the trees of Gods 
 inclofed Garden, they are implanted into Chrift, they ate inch fed 
 andincemvaffedby Godhimfilfe, they (hill be prefetved from all 
 evil find (hill want no manner of thing that is good. * 
 
 ASi the Attributes of God, even cTod himfeife, is a Brazen 
 Wall,* Wall of ftrSyCQ&piflinf* rhscn round about; fo that nothing 
 (hail hurt them. And although their enemies (fometimes J may 
 kill chem,yecchey cannot hurt 'ehem.'Though(poffibiy) they may 
 loofe their heads, yet they fhsli not loofe^-s haire of their h?ad t 
 L#£, 2 1 . 1 6, 1 7, t H. Their lojfefor Qhrift is gaine. 
 
 The fixty fixt Obfervation in Nature. 
 
 J Hen the husbandman dreffeth up his Orchard or Qarden, 
 / and removes fuch trees-, and plants as are barren, and 
 unfruitful! s>r that bear naughty fruity and plants others in their 
 roomes.jhat are choice and (peciall freehand gathers out the ft ones* 
 weeds, rubbifb. and wbatfoever is effenfivt 9 and beJro\\?es much time y 
 cejt and labour ? in preparing and ordering all things in his 
 G 'a? 'den for his profit, and delight, men may )udg ( by all theft things) 
 fropejition t \ mt fa i n tends~to come fettle himjetfe % &nd dwell then * 
 
 fhado-fpi& 4 
 
 This ftiidowes out unto us, That 
 
 When God doth purg a Nation, or place from perfont, and things 
 
 that 
 
a Garden of Fruit-trees. 1 3 1 
 
 tha* are offenfive to hiw,and brings in his oVvne people , and fyorjhip 
 in ftead thereof, this is an evident token that God intends to dwell 
 there* 
 
 God isinfinire, and is not included in one place more than 
 anotherj The Heaven of heavens cannot containe hint) 2 (fhro.6. 1 8. 
 yet he is faid co dwell in fome piacesrarher than in others, hy t 
 fpeciall manifftations of his love andgoodnejfe there , more than in 
 other places; When Cod pnrpofed to make the La*d of Canaan 
 h\$ dwelling place, he caft 0'<t the inhabitants of the Land, and 
 planted his own people, and his worfhip there: as we fee at large 
 in the Hiftory. This CMofes foretold, Exod.i$, 17. Thou fhalt 
 bring th r m in , and plant them , in the mountain? of thins inherit 
 Xante i in the place Lord which thou ha (I made for thee to dtoellim 
 and Bxod'.ig^.I^ill dwell amongfl the children cf IjraeU and Will 
 be their God. 
 
 When God had Mercy on //V^f /(after a long time of trouble, 
 and defolationjand comes to dwell among them againe , then he 
 brings downe, and cafts out their enemies, and oppreiTors, and 
 gives his owns people authority ,and power over them, as we fee 
 £(ay,\ 4.2. They /hall t«k? thtm Captives whofe (faptives they were, 
 and they fh all rule over their oppreffors* It is God that pntteih down 
 oncy and fetteth up another, ^fal^/yj. I the Lord have brought down- 
 the high tree ,and exalted rhe loty tree t havedryed up the green tree, 
 fini make the dry tree to flunfh, J the Lord have fpo^n it , and 
 have done it> Ez ^. 17. 20, when Cod roots up,or cuts down high, 
 green flounfhing treesJ&Qt barren of goo i fruits, and plants choice 
 trees in their ftead, though low , and defpifed in the eyes of the 
 world,this is, that he may dwell among them and Vealke among them 
 tC<trt6.i6. he fets his Tabernacle there, Levity. 12. and takes 
 plea fare in themV(,\<\C) 4. for the Lord hath chofen Zion, he hath 
 dt (i>ed it fcr his habitation', and faith, This is my rtfi for ever, here 
 •Kill I dwt l } for J have a delight therein^. 1 3 2. 1 3 , 14* ~. r 1 
 
 This being fo, that when God beginocs to reforme a T^atu 
 cn t or place, ua a (igne he intends to dwell there; this is a ground of 
 great emulation to the people of God in England ,and other parts, 
 where God hath begun his great Sharif ofKvformttion ( nocwith- * u • r • 
 (landing many things are yet amiflfe)but efpecially to fome par- andfomeothct 
 ticuiarplace$,wheremore r em ark^bh evidences of his prefence arc places. 
 
 R 2 mani- 
 
X 2 2 Thejfirituall yfe of 
 
 roanifeft in removing frak!efFe,& unprofitable Trees, and planting 
 in their (lead many fiuiiiul trees, not only in a private capacity , 
 but alfo in a Vubliqw, many godly Magifi rates ,for the execution 
 of?ttflice t 3nd taking pare wish thofe that fear God, in (lead of 
 > curbing, and difceur aging of them in well doing . 
 
 And alfo inrefped of many faithfuli minifiers of the Gofpell, 
 who preach pfm (fhrifi^nA declare the gloiious myfteries of the 
 Gofpeil in (lead oi bloc kifh ignorance t or els daubing tyithuntewpsred 
 morter: Though all are not thus through the Nation j yet it 
 may be fo fai'd of many more now than in former tiroes, 
 .^renot fuch as are pocln \uihorhy,&n<l Power in the Nation, 
 of che befi mentis not the Magifiracy of the Land of choice Verfons, 
 f fachas are mod fit,and capable jof the godly f arty ?&t lea(l,kis the 
 endeavour of thofe infupream pcwer^thzi it may be fo. And as for 
 ihtMiniftry of the Nation,*, hough it have beene(in?he genets il) very 
 corrupt s & ts fo £1 11 in many places; yet hash there not been in this 
 a great reformation of late yeares,wbich is dill going on among us? 
 
 And as the Magi f]l racy % mi Mimfiry of the Landers, much 
 
 .changed, and reformed, fo alfo are * Military 
 ^Bv whom God hath wrought or . „ c • u r »j- 
 
 , '*° u in . c -, a t u,c meni heretofore jo corrupt times, the fouUiery 
 
 lateyeares, even wonders u\ thele » - , ** <* . n i ■ J 
 
 three Nations; Not to be paraleld were of tnc WorfFofmen, the molt notorious, 
 inanyHiftorief of former ages, un- dtfperatly wicked men und.r the fon; whereas 
 lefleby the W&n of Can<un. God now they are of the bt-ftxmen feasiug God, very 
 hath eminently, & molt remarkably ma ny Q e E hem.-not only Commanders, and Offi- 
 sooesred for us, and that :na course i „ , ; , "*.*, - « ., JJ 
 
 I fclie? Jhh providences, not only " r '» b ?J a! ° cmm [oulitersh^t been.and are 
 fa the fight of b& people, but tvtnMsnofftittb, & prayer',** well asfcwr^tfoch as 
 the enemies theiifelves being Judges, the good jouldier ibt Centurion was, menrioned 
 
 Matt .8. 5 .whom Chrifl himfeir'commendechand 
 as Cornells ^noth^rCeKt urion ot i band,of whom it is iaid^hacfo 
 was a devout man % and oru that feared God with all bis houfe,dc~l, 10.2. 
 And as the Magifiracy , Mini fir y t & Scutdiery arevery much re- 
 formed ,& good men arnongfl them jSI are fet up 8 & encouraged, 
 and evili tnenremavedj&diicouragedjfo alto per fovs fearinggod of 
 aHvankj^and conditions are countenanced by the Authority (f the 
 2{jiioK\ having Iiberty s & freedomein ths worke oftne Lord, 
 whereby ihtgofpell,Sc the kingdome offchriftM enlarged, notwith* 
 Ending all oppo(1tion,or any thing ehat is yet amtife among us. 
 Are not all thefe things evidences of Gods prefence among us, 
 
 that - 
 
a Garden of Fruit-trees, 13% 
 
 that he is a coming nearer to us, chic the busbandmsn intends 
 to dwell, and delight hirnfelfe in hisGarden, where he is thosac 
 works fo remarkably* Rejoice therefore^ and let all the Trees of the 
 feild clap their hands: for infleadofthe Thome is come up the fir-tree, 
 andinfteadof the Brier is come up the Mink tree ,£ 'fay. 55. 12. 13* 
 Solomon faiesj When the righteous art in Authority the people rejoice, 
 ?roa. 29.2. Certainly fo'ch as feare Cod cio fo. And this f by 
 theway^may ferve for a tryall, and touchfiom of mens (piritpsall 
 f/?tfw;whether they are in the fiefh.or in thefpint, n ? 
 
 But it may be Obje6ted:Do we not fee rather fignes of Gods ds* 
 parture from «.f,than of hh coming merer to ^pfordowe net fee 
 Errors yHerefiesjnd Blafphemies abound among us, kivifions and 
 contentuns in every place? , 
 
 It is anfwered.-do we not alio fee the Truths of the C-ojpe/l more A n f w * 
 ful!y,and generally manifefkd and known, than they have been 
 fotmerlyfrhs Kingdome of Cbrift is enlarged, and growes daily. 
 There are more Profeifors of Religion in thefe daies, than infor- 
 mer timesjNot only Vrofjfors in Hypocrify, but alio io truth, and 
 ftncerity t &nd as Errors, aad Henftes are more awakened, fo alio are 
 iheTmtbs of God mere eleared;znd its certaine,T?»r^ will at length 
 preyaiIe,&filence£rror.Trm^willfuppren'e£m^&devoore them,, 
 as Karons R^did the Kods of the Magicians of Egypt, £#0.7.12. 
 
 And as for divifions and cmtenpions among us, let none think zVfe. 
 that ftrange; for where Chnft comes to take poileilion of a 
 T^ation^ot QHy, or family, where he was not before, there will 
 certainly be dtvifi,ons\Matth.io,^4.,^^.Think.not thatl am come 
 to [end peact on the earth: I came not to fend peace but a/word. For 
 J am come tofet a man at variance again ft his father, and the daugh* 
 teragainft her Motherland the daughter in law again ft her mother 
 in Lift &c.Fhjhfind fpirit^yea in,and smongft che people oiGod, 
 will oppofe each otherwhere will be divisions amongfl Gals orpa 
 people upon this accompt (they feeing hue in pare, and with dif- 
 ferent degrees of light) as wella& between th(m % %nd carnall perfons. 
 Where the fpirit of God in any of his people flakes at the 
 Corruptions of other?, in any refpec%where their T^jmes.intenfh, 
 ani concernments are touchijthis O'.cafions divificns, and contentit 
 onsi All which,God will by his wifdome, power 3 and goodneffe, 
 over 7ule> and order for the good of his people, making them 
 
 to 
 
"134 The [firltuall ufe of 
 
 to JI/Mnd/rjr things more throughly> that fo thereby both truth 
 and Brrorymiy be more manifeft . 
 
 Aifo many thing* which fome godly men have heretofore 
 caled Errors* they afterwards(«pon examination! and a more full 
 discovery of themjimbraced for Truths* and many hings which 
 good men in former ages never fa w» nor underftood, are »ew made 
 manifeft,and evident to be the Truths of God: the Spirit of God m. 
 theie Gofpelldaks, being (according tohisprcmife) powiedouc 
 more abundamly, light is more c/?^ than bererofore 5 and confer 
 quemly things hid in d^kne((e,mj (Series of the Gofpell, are more 
 difcovered;T6(?#g& the day, asyet,asto maoy things>*x not chare* 
 nor dnrl^but it fball come to paffe that at evening it fhall be light, 
 Zech.iA.. 6, 7- And the light ^of the Moon pi nil be as the light ef 
 the funne,a»dthe light of the fun/hall be feaven fold, E [ay. 30*16% 
 And furtherj In anfwere to the former Objection , Though 
 fome among us have feares and doubts or Gods departure 
 from w,yet if they do but confider all things well (weighing one 
 ching again!! another , and looke upon them with a fpirituali eye, 
 not dimmed with (etfifi, worldly interefts t they fhall then fee many 
 more, 2nd mire evident tokens of Cods drawing neerer to us id 
 thek Narions,and of his abiding rvitb «-/,than of his departing from 
 m : which ought to be obferved, and thankfully acknowledged 
 by all, as it is by many of 'his choice ft (ervants* For certainly , were 
 there the contrary to what we fee s and have of late yeares fesne, 
 among us, then we fhould s and we might indeed accompt them 
 fatall fignesofGods departing from us'.(hou\d we fee hoicked men 
 governe>%\\\ have the \upnam po^oer in thtfs 2^aiions\ to be ch[en, 
 and Commiffionated in all the great affaires , and concernments 
 among the peop'es fhoold we fee the people of God difcouote- 
 nanced? curbed and restrained in every p'ace ; and the wicked en# 
 conraged, and upheld; fhou'd we fee the chcicefi mimfters of the 
 Gofpell, and the moft eminent holy men of all ran\^s> imprifoned 
 and perfecufed by all the powers of the Nation* as they have been 
 heretofore; fhould we fee and behold ail the difpenjatiens of God 
 towards us* to be a weakning the hands of his people , and 
 giving ftrength^nd rule into the handsof evill mem then indeed 
 we might have caufeto feare , that God had furely a great con- 
 trovert with usavA a departing from us 5 but now while we 
 
 behold 
 
a Garden of Fruit-tree s. 13 f 
 
 behold ths contrary to all thefething.why may we not conclude, 
 and exped the contrary ? 
 
 W^fhould make f»cb a conclufion as Manoahswife d{d> when 
 fhehad feene> and obfervrd many evidences of Gods favour to* 
 wards her her husband, and her fe'fe(when hej who (hould have 
 ought hcrjiad groundle(Tefeaie$ / J«^ge.f 13.23. If the Lord would, 
 have deftroyed t*s y he Would not have done all thjfe things for m. 
 
 So; though we are indeed a finfull people, worthy to be de* 
 ftroyed^et God having given us (0 many, fo great , and fo wondtr- 
 full evidences of his grace, and favoured of his camming to dwell 
 among fis y ws ought to obferve them, and thankfully to acknow- 
 ledge tbem,wkb a full confidence that God will abide With us, 
 and no more depart from us. 
 
 There is a time, and that at hand, when the Church of Gok 
 Oulibefo free from the power of Anticbr ft ,as never to be any 
 morefubjecl to him:God Will make his Church an etemall ex- 
 cellency jind the dates of her mourning [hall be ended. Efay 60. I? t 
 20. and E\ay6z^ According to the Vnphtfjin Dan* j ,21. The 
 time came that the Saints pojfa (fed the Kingdomel and Ret; 5. 10. 
 IVe fhallraign on the earth. God hath begun to fulfill this Word, 
 which fhali go on to the ends of the eanh-his Name is inggged 
 init.and he will do great things for his people, though they are 
 unworthy, yet for his own great T^amfs Ink?* The two Witneffes 
 being now arifixg,v> it is the Jadgraenc of many pretious Saints 
 that they are.ths i.hurch will be more.and mote glorious t notwith- 
 fhndingal! opposition. 
 
 Seeing it is a figie zh%t Godiscomming neerer to us 3 and that 
 he will dwell among us, when he (upplants carnallmeu, and camall 7jf e 
 things and fees his owne people, and woifhipin their Head, then 
 thole whom God hash let and planted in the rooms of others, in 
 highefi places for the voverttmwt of the Nations ,in the r Vmvirfitie$ % 
 and all the Land over, rhefe perfons have a fpeciali Obligation ■ 
 upon them 'to bring forth better fruits than their Predeetfforj upon 
 feverallaccomptsjfnO:, that the Kusbandtnan^who planted themj 
 may have the honour of bis worke . Secondly? for their own 
 fakes, and thofe with whom they itvesfor in cafe they bring forth 
 as bad fruits, a*,- thofe trees in whole roome they grow, it wsli pro- 
 voke God againftthem > buc when God likes of, and delights in 
 
 the 
 
1 3 6 The [f kit nail ufe of 
 
 the fruits of his people, -he will then continue his prefence with 
 
 them, which is their life t happinejfe, andglory^ he will then delight 
 
 to walk? in his garden, snd eat huphafant fyuits^Qant.^.\6- and fay, 
 
 thii is my refti?tg place Jhere will I dwell for 1 have a delight therein, 
 
 P/W.132.13.14. 
 
 The fixtie feventh Obfervation in Nature. 
 
 r T > He ground of (om? Orchards is not levell, but (helving or decli- 
 ningi (0 that fome pari of the ground ii higher than the reft, and 
 accordingly feme of the trees grow upon higher ground, than (cme 
 others J Now tht husbandman values not the fruit-trees (at allj the 
 more for their fcituation^he efteemes not thofe on the highefl ground 9 
 mire than thofe on the low* ft ground^ but he priftth his Trees 
 according to their fruits: His care for his trees on the loVeeft 
 ground is as much (and fome times more) as for thefe en the higher 
 ground . 
 
 Vropofition This fhadowes out unto us, That 
 
 fbadowed. The free love and care of Cj ad is as much towards his people in the 
 
 meanefl, outward condition, as towards thefs who are moft eminent in 
 
 the world. 
 
 The great Mjflicall husbandman bath a large Orchard , he 
 plants his Fmhttrees where he pleafeth over all the parts of the 
 worldjan J fome of them are planted on highland force on low 
 grounds^ which he valueth not according to their Pminency.Qr mea- 
 wjfe (chat with him is not coniiderable)but according to the truth, 
 and fwcerity of their hearts, according to thdrfruits; Voore Lazarus, 
 zvArich £braham>itz both cared for, and beloved of God > one 
 as well as the other; The poore widdo^o L#f^£. 12.42- (that WAS 
 able to make but one farthing in all the the world) (he, and her 
 ottering was ss well accompced of as King T>av ids > Solomons -, 01 
 others of higbeft ranke* he refpedeth not perfons zCor.19. 7. and 
 againe Rom. 2.11. There is no refpetl of perfons tyjithCjod: He 
 will take the fsrvants part (In any juft caufej as foonas the 
 M?fters>Ephe x 6,9. He that doth Wbngjjhall receive for the wrong 
 
 that 
 
a Garden of Fruit-trees] 137 
 
 that he hath done, and there is no refpeft ofY?erfons,Col. 3. 25. 
 lVet. 1. 17* 
 
 God hath the fanieaccompt of the poore, as of the Rich; of 
 the #0«df,asof thefree % i(8elievers,Rom. icm2. 7"£eT? isnodtjfe* 
 rence between the jefo t and the Greeks for the fame Lord over all, is 
 rich unto all that call upon him: So againe^Rom. 3. 22. Heac* 
 cepteth not theperfonj of Princes 9 nor regardeth the Rich more than 
 the Poore,]ob. 34.19. 
 
 The ferious confideration of this may be a good meanes to w* 
 keepe the fpirits of thofe humble, who are of the highefi rank. *' 
 amongBelieverjiitid that they defpife not,nor negleft their bre- 
 thren in a lower rankj 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 fub- 
 jitlion(n God requires) is due unto them from their brethren., 
 and fellow Members of an inferior ranke) yet the the fame beares 
 no weight in the accompt of God: All the 2{at ions of the Earth, 
 are but as the drop of a bnc^et^ot as the [mall daft of the Ballance, 
 in the eye of God, £^40. 15. How fmall then are a few men 
 of one Nation, though tbey may be as mighty hits and Moun- 
 tains in eminencyt in the fight of men } 
 
 All men naturally have Principle of pride in them, but none 
 are in fo much danger of it, as thofe perfons (though godlyjl 
 who are fet above others, in Church, or Commomwealth : and 
 therefore they have the more neede to be minded of it, that they 
 may be aware of that mofi prevailing Corruption, which puts the 
 Creatures at a difhnce from God* Vaul himfelfe had need of 
 fomething to fupprefle it, left he fhould be exalted above wm- 
 fure s 2Cot.\2.j. 
 
 Hence we may gather; That believers of the lowefl ranks in _.,. ^ 
 outward refpeds, have as great, and as many Priviledges in all* - ' e ' J 
 ^Church Ajfemblies as thole of the highefi ranke ; whether it be to 
 JpeakeyOt hear, or partake of any Ordinance for their profit, and 
 edinu >n : fo that due relpeft towards fuoeriors, be obfer- 
 ved. 
 
 , Thirdly: Let all believers of the loftejl ranke walke chearefully, 3 Vfc 
 not withftanding any Jleighting t or neglecls from fuperiors . Thou 
 that art now under * and below many, of thy brethren for a 
 
 S mo- 
 
 __ 
 
138 The ftiritudl ufe of 
 
 moment , rnaift be above them hereafter to all Eter- 
 nity. 
 
 The eightiethObfervation in Nature. 
 
 ^PHofe Frtiit-trets which have the kfluexceof the funne continually, 
 
 the) jiauri/h with leaves , bio jfoms,and fruits continually , as it is 
 
 in the £afl , a and Weft Indies: there the [tin is all thsjeare long, 
 
 giving forth his he at, and warmth .and never going afar off (foot to 
 
 & brWa:Kaw m(j ^ e a \y inter) at in thife Northern parts of the world, fo that fruit* 
 
 ley. 1 Book. *•- trees there flourijb with leaves and blojfoms, green, and ripe fruits all 
 
 P art - 6»-3-§. the year long. 
 
 9-io.pag,6^.. 
 
 68. ' This is another Similitude of the ftate of Spirituall Fruit-trees, 
 
 Vropofttion an ^ faadowes oar onto as, That 
 
 (hadowed Believers Vebo daily Voalkewith God>having the light of his count 
 
 tenance , and conftant communion with him, fuch are abundantly 
 
 fruit full • 
 
 Although every believer is ingrafted into Chrift,and draws fap 
 and vertue from him, and hath the countenance of God towards 
 him,and the influences of the fpirit to caufe fruit* fulneffe, yet not 
 all alike: there is great difference in the degrees of Gods mani- 
 fefting.und giving out of himfelfe to his people. Godisa/»»to, 
 his peop|e,and he (nines oponfomebot fe!dome,and clouds him* 
 felfeagaineand withdrawes for a time, and then a winter comes 
 upon that foule* 2?ut he is pleafed to fhtne upon fome others 
 more covftantly, and they have an habit mil enjoyment of God, 
 after fome fad and datke times of the fpirit of bondage, anddeler? 
 tion in the former psrt of their lives, when they ha?e againe Said 
 hold on their beloved, they will nor let him goe; and he is as 
 willing to flay with fhemjo that they have a conftant enjoymene 
 of Cod, walking daily in communion with him, I mesne, forthe 
 mains ceurfe of the tr life , though thelpiricbe not aiw*.i/5*n'a' 3 
 like frame, and conftant temper every houre of he day, which 
 none can expedwhil'ft we are m the flefh: Yet as to the genera* 
 lity af their lives, the fun is neere>and di {cavers himfelfe clearly 
 and apparently to the foule. The workings of the fpiric of Cod, 
 
 are 
 
a Garden of Fruit-trees] 139 
 
 are manifefr,evident and cleare to the iou!e;the foule acls upon 
 God, and God upon the foule , there are reciprocall acls upon 
 each other daiiy,frequently. The fpiric of God Veitneftth, and 
 fealethto the foul? the fftre and unchangeable love of God in fbrijt, 
 and the foule fets to its feale alfo,thitGod is ctue s gratious> pre- 
 tious,and faiesto God (with a lively faithjthou art he whom my 
 foule Ioveth, thou art my portion, my Treaure, my God^and Sa- 
 viour, my all through Qhriji. God ads upon the foule, and faies, 
 thott art mine, I have chofen thee, and will never leave thee, nor 
 forfake thee\ and the foule ads upon God againe, and hks^hou art 
 mine , thou baft mads me to chafe thee , and I Vcill love 
 thee,andferve thee, and praife thee.andjoy in thee for ever . Thus with 
 infinite ktls of this T^ature is this Communion continued (in daily 
 walking with God/ whereby foch foules are fo revived , filled 
 and fatisfied,that they arc abundantly fr uitfull > and bring forth 
 fruit s continually . 
 
 Thefe trees are continually green and flmrifbing with leaves, 
 bhffoms>and fruit s:(\ich a one (as the Prophet faies,^r.i7.8.) He 
 Jballbe as a tree planted by the VPAters, and that (preadeth out her 
 Bootes by the Riversand Jhall not fee when heat Cometh, but her leafe 
 fhdl be greene^and Jhall not be cartfull in the year of drought, neither 
 Jba/l ceafe from yeilding fruit . And Vfal. 1 . 3 . He is as a tree plan- 
 ted by the rivers of waters, bis Leafe {hall noftoithers&c. The 
 righteous (ball flourijh li^e aValmtree % the moft beautiful! and 
 excellent of all trees, and which is continually green and fruitfuff, 
 becaufeit growes in thofe parts where the fun is continually mere, it. 
 
 Now by the Rivers, waters, fun, dewes, rimes, &c. we are to 
 underfhnd the manifeftations of God,the influences of his fpiric, 
 Hof.14. $. I will be as the dew to Jfraely and then it followes, he 
 fb ill grow as the Lilly y and caft forth his roots at Ltbanon, ver(.6. his 
 branches (ball fpread, and his beauty Jhall be as the Olive tree : I 
 will be dew, and raine and fun/bine and then they (hall be as the 
 Olive tree, or as the ?alm fm>which zXtMlwaies greene.and fruit* 
 full . 
 
 So that fuch Christians as live under the dtwes, and droppings of 
 heaven, and have the funfiill Jbining upon them in their daily 
 walke, and Communion with God,they are abundantly fruitfull 
 This our Saviour himfelfetels as JohiiysMe that abidet bin me, & I 
 
 S 2 in him t 
 
140 The ffirhuafofe of 
 
 him,ihe fame bringeth forth much fruit. This abiding in Chrift, 
 is 10 abide , and continue in Communion with him , by daily 
 a&ing all the graces: fuch as walke fo bring forth much fruit. 
 1 Vfe Thefe things being fo> we fhould hence learne to fyepe clofe 
 
 toGod,znd daily to walks with him^o lay out our (elves diligently 
 by Prayer jJAieditaiion^publique Ordinances, viewing over all ex* 
 periences, and for mermaniff ft aliens of the love of God in Chrift to- 
 wards usy&c. to gaine, and keep the light of Gods countenance , 
 and cleare evidences of his love, the lively, and conftant, or fre- 
 quent adings of his fpirit in usjthat by thi$[un/hine,dety, and rains 
 of heaven, his fruit-trees may be continually greene, and flourifhing^ 
 with blcpmesi and fruits. This and no other, isthe way to be 
 abundantly /r#*r/»//,whereby we may bri-ng much glory to God 
 and giine infinite ad vantages to our felvcs for when the foule by 
 thefe things is put into an heavenly^andfpirituall frame and tem- 
 per,then the pleafant fruits flow forth abundantly: when the Ifyrth 
 and South winds of the fpirit awake and blow upon the Garden, then 
 the fpias thereof fioft forth fiant.^ 1 6. 
 
 The fixty ninth Obfervation in Nature. 
 
 T 
 
 He Husbandman does not only Gr/ift his fruit trees , but alfo Or* 
 
 ders them from y care to yeare , many other Voaies.by Pruning off 
 
 fnl irregular and fruit l(fj "e branches yWeeding^atering^ baring the 
 
 roots Sometimes laying good foyles to them,and fometimrs abates of their 
 
 too full, andfat nourifhment, doing divers other things for the good of 
 
 . the trees in order tofruittbearing . 
 
 Proportion. This fhadowes out unto ns,That 
 
 fhadomdt CJoddoth not only engraft his people into Chrift >but orders them in all 
 other refpetls alfo 9 to make them abundantly fruit full, 
 
 Materiall fruit»trees(through the fatneffe of foyle)do frequent* 
 ly fhoote forth ftrong and big branches, cal'd proud Jhoots, and 
 bring forth great,faire, broad leaves;but/»^ trees bring forth buC 
 few and fmall fruits « in fuch a cafe the Husbandman deprives 
 them of fome part of their fatfeeding t and pat unto their roots 
 
 fome 
 
> 
 
 aGardenofFruk-trees, 141 
 
 (brae (and or barren earth in (led, and cuts off the proud 
 (hoots . 
 
 So it is with che people of God: although they are Ingrafted, 
 yet unlefle the husbandman looke to them they will often 
 ("through profperity and abundance)(hoote forth many branches 
 of pride,lofty and high Imaginations y andconceipts ,and consent them- 
 felves with bringing' forth fair, broad Leaves of (heroes and profef- 
 fions, foremonieSi formes , and fomething that s outboard, but bring 
 forth(all the while )fma£l , and few fruits: So that becaufe this 
 too fu!l feeding with the fine flower Joony ,. and Oyle of profperity 
 caufetbthem to abate of their fruit-fulnefle, therefore the huf* Ezek.i6.r 3 . 
 bandman will deprive them of fome part of it; as we kc.E^e, 
 16.27. 1 have diminifhed thine ordinary foode-^nd in (led thereof 
 makes them feed upon the bread of adverfity and water of affii* 
 £tion.-£% j^3o.20.whereby they become more fruitful/. 
 
 The husbandman alfo prunes his fruit- trees; fohn 15. t*Hepur~ 
 geth them>that they may bring forth more fruit • 
 
 Thereby they are full of mercy, and good fruits* /<*/». 3. 17. all 
 his corrections (through his wife, and gratious ordering) bring 
 forth the peaceable fruit of right eoufneftefieb . 1 2. 1 1 . 
 
 When the corrupt flock of Nature fprings forth,he cuts them 
 off, £*.?£, 27. 8. In meafure When it fhooteth forthyiheu Wilt debate with 
 itMis rough wind, verf, 8. biowes upon them, and this is his end, 
 verf»6. By this /hall the Iniquity of Jacob be purged, and this is all the 
 frtti$,to takje away his fin . 
 
 The husbandman alfofin cafe of inconveniences by too full feei 
 ding)(ltikes into the body (or Mafterroote) of the tree, a Pin ^Jheoph-Lib. 
 lron t or hard HW.thatthe fuperfluous fap may run but: So Vattl ^f^*™^^* 
 was ordeted,2£V.i27. Therewas giiienhim a tbome in the fl /h, 
 left hejhouldbe exalted above meafure. See aifo E&k. 28.24. He 
 calls for the Northwind of afflitlions, as well as the fouthwind of 
 consolations ,to taikc fruits abound t C ant, ^,\6, 
 
 The people of God by Experience find thefe things profita- 
 ble . 
 
 This fhould make us not only patient under all afTli&ions.and 
 orderingsof God, buc alfo to be thankfull for them: let God (the Vfe, 
 wife and gratious Husbandman^ have praife from us, who 
 
 S 3 prunttk 
 
1 42 The [prituall ufe of 
 
 pruneth and ccrre&eth us for our profit, to be partakers of his 
 
 holinsffejo bring forth much fruit to his glory , Heb»i2,iojoh.i5.8. 
 
 Ths feventieth Obfervation in Nature. 
 
 Atttrall Fruit-trees grove every jeare flr&nger t and ftronger; 
 X.^% every year the Branches put forth t and enlarge themselves more 
 or leffe 9 they fpread^ider, and higher s and ft ronger untill their attaint 
 their natm all bignejfe, and are thereby more able to reftft ftrong 
 winds t and more out of the reach of Cattle^and common enemies* 
 
 This is another Similitude of the ftate of Spiritual! fruitftrees $ 
 and ftiadowes out unto us this Vropofition, That 
 
 The graces of believers increafe datly inftrength, Vcherebj they are 
 Vropofition more and more able to refifl {prituall enemies. 
 
 fhadowed. 
 
 After believers are ingrafted into Chrift their Roote and fioc^ 
 they from thence forward receive fap , and life, and power from 
 him,whereby they are aded in all duties, whereby they increafe, 
 and get flrengch from day to day, Pf. 84.7. they go from frength 
 tojirength-.beiog ingrafted into Chrifr, we Meeftablijbed,ftrength m 
 ned,and built up in him y Col.z.j. And Eph.4, 15. JVegrotyupin 
 him in all things Which is the head t even Chr'tftiVer[*i6* from whom 
 the whole body fitly joyned together , and compacted, by that which 
 every \oynt fupplyeth , according to the effacluall Wording in the mea- 
 fure of every part \maheth increafe of the body unto the edifying of it 
 (elfc in love • 
 
 Vauland dpoflos were Inffcrumentall in Vlantingand watering, 
 God gave the increafe, 1 Con 3. 6, 7. The whole body of Chrift in* 
 creafeth with the increafe of God^Col.i*\g. 
 
 To him that hath fhall be given, and he /hall have abundance, Mat. 
 25.29. His brooke fhall become a River t %nd his RiverfhtM become 
 afea. As Materiall fruit* trees fhoote opwards,and extend their 
 branches yeariy,fo do the Myftkalt:\tfi\\zzz be bat a carefull ufe 
 of meanest*/ 3.13. This one thing 1 do,forgetting things that are 
 behind , and reaching forth unto thofe things that are before, I 
 prtjfe towards the marke &c. Graces being at firflt but as a 
 graine of muftard- feed they increafe unto large branches, OMatth. 
 13.3 r. Every 
 
a Garden of Fruit-trees* 14 3 
 
 Every All both in Nature and grace, doth flrengchen the ha- 
 bit t and according to the frequency and vigor mattings fo the 
 habit improve?;(fthe ^#.r of grace be butieldome.and butweake, 
 the Habits, and Principles grow but fiow/y l And when t^tls 
 ceafe for a time ( as in fome Temptations) yet the habits, feeds y and 
 Principles lie fecret>and fine in the foule, and will ( as^eat pent 
 up, and fmoothered for a time) breake forth afterwards more 
 ftrongfy , and will enable the foule to trample upon all ene- 
 mies. . 
 The ufe of this may beto difcover who are really in Chrift. ' 
 As there is an increafe in all the Members \ and parts of Chii* 
 dren(if in health) fo in the fpirituall man, Epkefq. 16. accor- 
 ding to the effttluall working in the me aj tire cf every part, maktth 
 increafe of the body. As it is thus of the Church-So alfo of every par- 
 ticular Member of it. 
 
 Now this increafe is not in all alike, nor at all times to be 
 perceived in any one perfon, but differs according to Talents of 
 grace at firft received, and alfo according to the operations of the 
 Jpirit t and according to the meanes,and helps tbrtChriftidim have, 
 and ufe in the courfeof their lives. 
 
 Therefore labour to djfeerne an increafe. ). 
 
 And left fome weake foulesfhould ftumbie at this, and que- 
 stion the truth of all t becaufe they difcerne not an increafe of grace 
 in themfelveS) but rather a dta^becaufe they find not now fuctV 
 vehement workings of afftBion, nor fuch enlargednejfe of heart as 
 fometimes heretofore: Let fuch confider, that God fometimes 
 withdrawes, that they may be fenfible of the different ftates, 
 tempers t and frames of their fpirits, which may be made ufe of as a 
 fpeciall evidence cffpiritualllife . 
 
 Secondly.* frength of grace confifteth not in the enlargednejfi 
 cf theaff.tlions in duties (which isufually mod in young Chrifli* 
 ansjbut in a jolidtyelt grounded faith Jknowledgj xperience^anci e'eare 
 Apprehenftons of the love of God in Qhrijl, thefe(more or lefie, if we 
 are diligent: in the ufe of meanes) grow to the laft; though there 
 are fin fome Christians) fome interruptions, through Trials 
 and temptations,which yet God doth order for their advantage. 
 
 The 
 
144 The fpiritMall tife of 
 
 . -Thefeventyfirft Obfervation in Nature. 
 
 Ome frttitf trees that are but weak?, crtoke^and uncomlyTrees , 
 
 that km' e little beauty 9 in refpetl of fhape,and colour , &c. they are 
 
 (not^ouhfta»ding) more profitable , and bring forth more p leaf ant and 
 
 more ufefttll fruits, than many faire, tall, and beauttfull tress . To 
 
 p. . inftancein the Vine t and the fig-tree*, "tohat trees ate fo l<w t crooked, 
 
 c n weak?, of (odeadifh coloured om fides t as thy, which yetyeildtke meft 
 
 . nf'tjhing,pleafant nourifhmeml Many high, fir ong f beauttfull 
 autumnaies ■/» .» ,i • » ■ i j /** 
 
 * • ■«. * ^, trees are farre Juort of tkemtnworw^andzoodmUe. 
 prtncipatum ' J ' *> u 
 
 cbtinent. This Obfervation fhadowes out unto us, That 
 
 Vropofttion Many perfons of a low rank* t and but of defpifed parts , do yet 
 
 bring forth more profitable fruits, than wany others eminent in gifts ', 
 
 and outward re fpe Els. 
 
 Many of the Saints (in their meafure and proportionjare as their 
 Lord and Saviour^o? whom it isfaid, he hath no forme nor com" 
 lineffejhere is no beauty that we fhould defm him-he is defpifed) and 
 rfiecledofmsn^c.EfayjitZ,!. and yet who brought forth fach 
 fruits as he. ? who (befides that great, and maine worke for which 
 he was_fent)frfȣ daily about doing good,& did alwaies that which Was 
 f lea(mg to hisfatherjoh.8.29 As he was defpifed, and reje&ed of 
 men, for the holinejfe and ftirituallneffe of his doctrine, and life, 
 as well as for h,s meaneffe in the world^Men fo are many of his peo- 
 ple at this day; And fo it was (too) in former times; Were not 
 the Apoftles and difciples ofChrifi t o^ lo'tyrAnke in the world, 
 taken from meane imyloyment s f whole natural 1 parts had little im# 
 provement by humane LeamingiVjhlch caufed the proud Pharifees 
 to defpife,and reject both them and their doctrine,and yet who 
 brought forth the be ft fruits ,they,or the Vharifees? 
 
 That great fruiutree (mentioned L^. 18. 11.) which was 
 growenfmhis owne conceipt,andits like in others toojas high as 
 heaven, and fpread large, yet his fruits were not accepted; as the 
 fruits of the pooce, low, defpifed fhtub,the Publican, who came 
 
 fane 
 
a Garden of Fruit-trees] 145 
 
 far fhortof the Pharafes in outward refpetls 1 
 
 lhatof the Apoflle iCor.l.27,&c.is a fuflficient proofe for this 
 point. The fooli/h things, the Weak? things, the bafe things, the 
 defpifed thing.-The prions and things, their Cjiftt and endowments, 
 theit Judgments and aBmgs that the worldly, and carnall wife 
 men.and Tome fpirituall men very carnall in their Judgments and 
 waies^ccount^/i^vW^^ .^/ir,and altogether defpife, and cram- 
 pie on, thefe, even *&/<?, are of more efteeme with God, and are 
 more profitable in his Church, than manyperfons and things 
 eminent in the world, and of higheft efteeme among men. 
 
 Learn then to judg , and efteeme of per fans and things % Vfe. 
 oi Trees , and fruits as God doth; judgrighteous Judgment; 
 looke upon things with a fpirituall eye, and tail tnem 
 with a fpirituall Palat: God expects now that his people 
 fhould be more fpirituall than in former times, that they ftiould 
 come off more from fi.srf^d/.fjwhereon for met ages have fo much 
 dood.Gcfpellworfhip^ridconverfationj is more in the fpirit, than 
 many(even of the godly)are yet convinced of; The plaine ftrnpli- 
 city of the Cjojpellyin the delivery, and manifeflation of it to others, 
 is defpifed X Perfons who preach and pubhfh the (jofpell ( and 
 cannot but fpeakethe things they have heard and feenej are 
 mgUc~led t defpi\ed y and cried do^ne, unleflfe they come adorned wiih^ 10< - 
 tminent Gifts, Humane learnings and other externall qualificati* 
 0/*/,whkh the fleflily wifdorae of men eyes more than the (pi* 
 ritualljavory, well tufted fruits they bring forth,to the refrefhing, 
 and feeding the foules of men to eternall life . One of thefe 
 poorejow, defpifed, fpirituall trees (without forme> or comlineffe 
 in a carnall eye)brings forth motegood and profitable fruits, than 
 an hundred of Tome of thofe who come with externall Ornaments 
 of Titles degrees , tongues, excellency 
 
 of fpeech and <> Humane wifdome, »AicA b fc I " trueinJccd ' } bmm A %f^ ^mlnm 
 Jul a* ai < u u j t • P ms are excellent, and of lingular ufe in the 
 
 the Apoflle (Who had mote Learning fc hurch f Go d 3 if farcified, if in regenerate per. 
 than theyvcar'd not for in his OHini' fbns (efpecially in fuch who have i\(ogrMtmea- 
 ftry,iCo-2Art*My fpeech and my pre a* fares of grace, to make all fubferviem thereunto,) 
 chingwas not with the enticing words °thewife all is uled-and turned for -felfe, and ftniftcr 
 of mans KifdomeM in the demon firati-< nh and W°K and %*#<%& 
 en of the fpirit, and of power. 
 
 T Plaine 
 
1 46 7'be fpirituafafe of 
 
 Plaine experimental! difcoudes of fpirttuail, holy men, bat of 
 ordinary gifts 3 aboriE (fhnfl \andhh ikingricmefttt for the moft pare, 
 more profitable (amongft the vulgar fort of people) than the chf« 
 courfes of learned men s about the fame thing :One reafon ( befides 
 the fpeciail prefence of the fpirit) ciay be, became the Matter, 
 Mtthoa^A exprtjjioni of ordinary gifted perfons, are %\\ futed % 
 and fitted to Common capacities, theyexpreiTe themfeives in words 
 ea/ie to be u^rfloodiu the Apofih faith, 1 Cor. 1 4.9 . They ("peak 
 to men (as the Apoilies in their time) in their cft?« Language : 
 therefore things have the more esfy ; and ready entrance, and ad- 
 rniiHon into their fpirit . 
 
 Whereas perfons of high attainments in Gifts fmoft commonly) 
 fpeake fas the Apoft-le faies) into the aire* in an unkn&rvne Tongue, as 
 to vulgar understandings 3 when (perhapsjthey think they fpeake 
 iCor,i4-,9* pisineiy. 
 
 Now befides what has been faid,cominuall experience proves 
 thefe things abundantly. Therefore let not Mora/I Gifts , and 
 attainments bt over va!oed,whi!e the fpirit of Thrift, and hkgra* 
 ces are neglecled,. 
 
 The feventie fecond Obfervation in Nature. 
 
 ^P He Husbandman expetls fruits from all hU Fmitttrees , he mil 
 not approve if an) one barren-tree in his Orchard: Though he 
 hokjes not that all (hmldbeare alike, jet he will not induce any 
 fmitf tress that are not fruit- full ', or feme way or other profitable to 
 him* 
 
 Hereby we are taught .• That 
 
 God mil not allow an idle per fon^ but expects every one Jhjuld be 
 Proportion profitable in his place . 
 
 J adow . The world hGods great family, 2nd he will have no one id?e, 
 
 but every one (chstis able to labour) feme way* or other im- 
 pioyed in that which is good; And therefore he beflowes upon 
 everyone a Talent at leaf!, upon fome two, upon fome more; 
 forne Gift,or Gifts of body : ormindjor both, which they oughf 
 to imploy, and improve for the honour of their Lord and Mailer, 
 
 and 
 
a Garden of Fruit-trees] 147 
 
 and good of their brethren ♦ A day of accomp? is coming 
 and hard by, when there will be a fad reckoning for sWidleper- 
 fo»s^Matth.i'y t z6 t thon wicked and flothfull fervanr- cafl ye the 
 unprofitable fervant into otter dsrknelTg, vsrf. 30. No one is 
 exempted from a particular cailing,or labour, \(for, 7. 20. Let 
 every man {faith he) abide in the fame calling wherein hs.Vvas cal* 
 
 ltd: 
 
 P40/ could not abide an idleperfon, he would not allow a man 
 meateunlefTe he would worke- i fable, 2 Thef* 3. 10. Thtu we 
 commanded you , That if any would not worke, neither fhould he satl 
 we mofr wotke either with the band,ot with the mind; Laborant . „ . 
 quimenteopcrantur. We command J oh (faith theApoftlej rtorke *45 ' 
 with your own hand,iTheL^n . And 2gzine,Epbef t 4. 28,, Working Op.Lmanam 
 with his hands the things that is good , that he may have (omething t& * 
 
 give to him that needeth , 
 
 The (pint gives Gifts divedly, but the end is to profit withall, 
 1 (for. 12.7. 
 
 Sach as have gifts, and Talents, and ufe them not, are like 
 Idols who have eyes, and fee not, ears, and hears not, hands, and w&rks 
 not, feet, and walks mt % Pfal. 1 50.5.6.7. 
 
 Hence we fee the fhame, and danger of manyperfons in the world: 1 ZJf e \ 
 efpecially of the richer, and greater fort ; who having feverall 
 Gifts t andTalents beftowed on them, aref notwithstanding)*^/* and 
 unprofitable fitttxng their parts rufhandlye hid in a napkin:Though 
 they have rich Revenues to live upon, yet they ought to labour 
 for God, his Church, and the (fommowwealtb t 2^emo fibi natus. 
 Every man is a Memfor of the body Politique, and ought to do 
 Something for the good of the whole bedy.w the Members in che 
 T^at mall body. 
 
 Here v/hu^hirBoulton faies of fuch as are unprofitable in Church, a D j re ^; ons ( Q£ 
 and Common wealtklheii (faith he) a curfed drone, a child of idh* walking with 
 nejfe,and ^.oth^the very tennis-ball of Temptation, moft uritoorthie e/God.pag.49. 
 the bkjfings.and benefits of humane fociety ,Vvho dotbnet one Vvay or 
 other cooperaidand contribute to the Common good with his be ft ende*- 
 vours in fome hone ft particular calling. 
 
 The b? ft men in all ages have ever fet themfelvcs to fome good 
 -lmployments,God would have none idle, no not ddamizvcti in 
 his flate ofinnocency) he had an Imployment aligned him, being 
 
 T 2 put 
 
X48 The ffiritmhfe of 
 
 put into the Garden of Sien todre{feit } and to keep it t Gen.2.t^l 
 So then; hers an lmploj ment (among others) fit for the bed 
 men;^* worki of the firft man, even in his perfect (late, and that 
 appointed by God hirnfelfe, as beruting fuch a condition ; \>hi* 
 lofophers, Kings, Smperors, in former ages, delighted in the woike 
 ofanOrchard,as was formerly fhew'd at large. 
 
 Men may honour God,greatly profit themjelves, the Church, and 
 Commonwealth by their fladies and labors in a Garden ofVruitf 
 trees. 
 
 The feventie third Obfervation in Nature. 
 
 Oms Trait' trees live longer than others % (ome die while they are 
 fjoungfithers when they are large trees , at their full growth; pert 
 haps by difeafes, or exctjjive heat and dryneffeat their roots, or are 
 violently cut downe for thtir barrenneffe or bad fruits: others live 
 till they be gr often very old, and die, by degrees Veith very age, 
 and as theft are removed the husbandman plants others in thtir roomes < 
 
 This fhidowesout unto us theftateof Myfticallfruit-trees>in 
 this Proportion: That 
 Vropofition The life of man is very uncertaineifome die in Childhood, others in 
 fhaiowedt youth } other sin old age \an din the roome of thefe others arife . 
 
 Seeds of decay are fowen in the bell foyle of mans body, which 
 fpring, and grow, and bring forth (fooner, or ia er) dijfolmion . 
 The Caufes of decay and death both in-naturaU.and fpifituall fruit* 
 trees are often alike. The husbandman obferving the Canker, 
 ftormes, or other difeafes to feife upon fome of his bad trees which 
 he fets little by, he negleds them, and faiesjif they die, let them 
 die, Tie fetbeiter in their roomes. So faith the MyfticallHus* 
 bandmanof his fruit-treesfbecaufe of their barrenneffej or bad 
 fruits)when he fees difeafes, or mileries feife upon them ; I will 
 will not feede you., that that dieth, let it die, and that that U to be cut 
 off Jet it be cutof:B^\\\.%. be hath not that care of them, as he 
 ha:h of hisfruitfull trees,they are not within his fpeciall protefti* 
 on,fohn 17. 9. 7 pray not for the World . 
 
 Againe; 
 
a Gdrden of Fruit-tree u • 142 
 
 Againe.fome he cats downein ihehfullftrength, as was pro- 
 phefied againft Elies houfe, 1 Sam. 2. 3 3. «-^// f J?<? incrtafe of thine 
 houfe /ball die in the flower of their age\ So Ier, i%. 8. 4 fpoylerat 
 noone day % her funne is gon downe while it wai yet day: as to the 
 people of ludaMjn the generall)in time of their prosperity, fo to 
 many'inparticularjin their health ,and full flrength, Tfal. 55. 25. 
 The blood thir fly , and deceit full manfhdl not live out half e their 
 dales. So Vfalm 37. 36. 
 
 Now as thefeare cut dowoe,others are planted, <pf. 109 7. Z*t 
 ^ «f^Vi be few , and let another take hU ojfice'.ffld Pfj$-S he putteth 
 downe one t and fetttth up another. 
 
 Othersfagaine^live till they be very old 3 and decay by degrees, 
 and are like old Barzillai.zSam^ 3$.w^(byreafon of age)could 
 not taft what he ate^r drankfil&c. they live till they befatiffied 
 Vpith *£«,7/qi«i6' 
 
 Seeing our lives are (0 uncertaiue&nd that wee know not when ~ £,- 
 Our Lord will come, Afarl^iy. 35. Whether in the evenings or at 
 midnight, or at the dawning of the day, we (hould therefore be 
 alwaiesresdyithat is;*o be fure that we have an intereft in Chrift, 
 without which there can be no preparation for death . 
 
 This fhewes the defperate eftate of all unngenerate perfons, , 
 
 they are in danger every moment of a fudden deftruclion $ and 2 ' e - 
 many times it comes in the height and fulneffe of their outward 
 profperiry,as with Herodupon thtThrene of his glory ; Belfhazzar in 
 the midftof hisfeaft. r D^«.5. 6. Haman at the Banquet if wine, 
 in his glory, Hefter.j.iQ. I have leen{i%\t\\ David) the wicked in great 
 poster s and fpreading himftlfe like a greene Baj-tree &c. But how 
 quickly was he gon. ? 77*7.37- 35. 
 
 Hence we (hould be ftirred up to bring forth good, and profits* m*t 
 ble fruits, that fo the husbandman may take care of us, and nourifh, * 
 and prune,and order his fruit-trees for many ycares, according to 
 his promife, Vrov. lo. 27. My (onne keepe my Cowman dements, for 
 length of daies^and long life, and peace Jhall they adde to theer efpeci- 
 ally let us attend to the workj of our generation, according to the 
 pointing out of the wordpnd hand of providence. 
 
 - T3 The 
 
X 5 6 The ffiritiidl ufe of 
 
 The feventy fourth Obfervation in Nature. 
 
 E fee by experience that^b&t tyn%s of feeds of fruit (trees 
 wee few in cur NurferieSyfuch Will be the fees, and confet 
 qwntly the fruits of thofe trees; sf ths feed be good, the trees and 
 fruits will befoa/fo, ifthi feedbe vax^ht, (o will be the trees and 
 fruits: the feed containes in it the ferms of the trt§s and fruits* 
 
 This is another Similitude of the ftate of fpirituall frait-trees, 
 and fhadowes out unto us this Proportion, That 
 
 Proto Ition According to mens Principles, ffich are their aftingf> and their re- 
 
 fhadomd^ w:lrds «*"**£ t0 both ' 
 
 Origwallfin, corruption of H^jtme, is the feede that lies in the 
 foule of ail mankind , which naturally fprings op, and growes 
 like a plant, or tree, higher, and targer, and ftronger every day, 
 branching it felfe,and breaking forth in thoughts, Coords t andtyorkj: 
 now according to the Nature of this feede, cr thefe branches, or 
 tmsfuch will be the fruits.fer t 6. 19. 'Behold i Voill bring evill 
 upm this people, even the fruit 0] their thoughts; we fee what thofe 
 fruits were in the following words, even periling and deftruflion, 
 Aifo ]er, 32. 19. Thine eyes are upon all thewaies of the fonnes of 
 ' jnen^to give everie one according to his Mates* and according to the 
 fruit of his doings . And againe, Hof.io. 13. 7e have] prolonged 
 wickednejfe,ye have reaped iniquity ye have eaten the fruit of lies wad 
 what the fruit was we fee in the following \trks:dajhingin peeces t 
 and utter defirutlion • 
 
 Soalfoon the other fides the feed , or principles of grace in the 
 foule fprings up, and growes like a tree into a bodyjboughes, and 
 branches > which bring forth good, and pleafant/r«s*s, whereof we 
 may eat,oot only in this iife.buc alfo to all Eternity. This ftede 
 fprings up,and branches it felfe into thoughts, words, ablings, mul- 
 titudes of wiies in our conventions; a Vc ho If owe tongue is a tree of 
 li.fe,Prov ) i').i. The fruit of this Tree in Prayer, Praifes, &c> hath 
 a fweete,and acceptable taft, in the account of the husbandman . 
 So aifo is it pleafant unto men,Prc^.25»ii.v^ word fitly fpoken,is 
 like apples of Gold in pitlures ofjilver. 
 
 " All 
 
a Garden of Fruit-trees. 1 5 1 
 
 All forts of fpiritoall /cede brings forth anfwsrable fruits, 
 Gal.6.8,He that foweth to the \p%rit t fhdlof the fpirit reap life wer* 
 lafting . 
 
 The fpirit of god,znd the habits of grace in the foule continually 
 fpring up, and bring forth good fruits', per fons in whom thefe dwell 
 aft according to their Natures; and frasts- and rewards are ac 
 cordingly difpenied, #<?*». 6* 22.7V have your fruit unto holineffe^and 
 the end ever/afiing life, _,,, 
 
 Thefe things being fo, they call aloud to every unregenerate J ™': 
 pcrfon tobreake offtheiriinne? by Repentance, thereby to cut 
 orTalltheboughes,and branches that fpring from the W,' and 
 roote of corrupt 2(ature , otherwife they will certainly bring forth 
 poy fonous, and deadly fruit ^whereof they (hall eat and drinke to all 
 ' eternity,/?e?»,7.) .The motions of ftn^ohich were by the Latyydid worke 
 in our Members to bring forth fruit unto death. Naturall men can* 
 notaft any thing that'sgood, becaufethet's no good feede , no 
 fpirituall principles* therefore it necefTarilyfofiowes their fruit 
 wi!lbe bitter. GW.5.7. Be not deceived, God is not mocked \for what' 
 foever aman (owes , that fhallhe alforeapeihe that feDeetb totheflefh 
 /hall of the fie/h reap corruption : The fruk,the reward is perdition, 
 eterriall m\ fctyiY be y fhatt eat the fruit of their own e way, Prov.1.31. 
 foalfo,J^4.8.and Vrov.n.S. 
 
 Men may as rationally expeS pleafant Apples from Crab'feedet 
 or good whsat (torn Tare feeds* as comfort or happinelle from cor- 
 rupt Principles. , 
 
 This Vropofnion is a ground of unspeakable comfort, and en* 2 ™*' 
 couragemenc unto all that feare God; they have z feede within 
 them, i^oh.7,^ his\eedrem&in?thin &m*,«that is, the vigour, the 
 workings t l\-.tr. efficacy of the fpirit , Principles, ani habits of grace, the 
 Word of Cjody the fee em aine in beiiever$;which//>W»g up, grow, and 
 bring forth fruit to eternal! life: the fruit is according ro the 
 feede t their reward according to their Principles and atlings , 
 Qah 6. 8. 
 
 He that now goes on his fyay weiping, and beareth good feede? fhdl 
 doubt hjfe come againe withj'j, bringing his {heaves With bim,Vfalm. 
 
 126.6- 
 
 Ther's an Bmphafis in the word doubtleffe: out of all qaeflion, 
 nothing more certain?, we Hull reap indue time, if Vee faint not , 
 
 GaU 
 
i 5 2 The fprhmll ufe of 
 
 Gal. 6- 9. And that we m3y doc faint, let us often make ufe of 
 ihzfc cordial! prcmifes already mentioned, with this (and the like) 
 wrought downe to us from the hand of God, Sfay, 3. 10. fay ye 
 to the righteous ft fhdl goe Well With thtm for they {ball eat the fr n't 
 of their doings . 
 
 The feventie fifth Obfervation in Nature. 
 
 / nhft TJR u i t ' trees are profitable many wales; in the wood and boughesprum 
 & JLnedoffi to bmne^alfo for loymrs and other Tradtfment the boughes 
 
 and bloffcmes adorne thehoufe in the fpringjheir cdor is rtfrejhmg to 
 the fpirits , and their coole Jhadeinthe heat of [ummsr\ but efpecially 
 profitable in their fruits % thereof we eat, and dr'tnk^dl the year 
 long x 
 
 This is another Similitude and fbidowes out unto us this 
 Vropofitionx That 
 Vrotofttiori Spiritual! Fruit trees in grafted into Qhri[l are many waies pro* 
 Jbadowed. ' fi cdle in their G€Mer « tims • 
 
 Such as fear God will certainly follow fome profitable courfe 
 of life.fome lawfull calling or labour, either of body, or mind, 
 or bottbwhereby they may advantage themfelves 5 and others. 
 
 They are a\(o profitab/e in many fpirituall refpecls, by difcourfe , 
 reproofe, comfell, and admonition: by Vrayer, Vredching 9 printi»g 
 Bootes, communicating their Talents for the good of others; bj their 
 j4lmes % andaftj of charity, and love to their brethren , and to all 
 by their good Examples^ which ftiine forth as fights in the world, 
 directing others « 
 
 They are profitable toothers, both in privative, and pofitive 
 refpe&s: wicked perfons who live amongft them, are often fpared 
 for their fakes, the Tares are furTered to grow becaufe amongft 
 the Wheat;yea,and (hare of many pofitive outward bleflings foe 
 their fakes: Laban and his family (hared of the buffings powred 
 downe upon Jacob* Gen. 30. 27. which Laban acknowledged , / 
 have learned f/ faith he)by experience t that the Lord hath blijfed me 
 for thyfakf* 
 
 So 
 
a Garden of Fruit-trees] i$$ 
 
 So Votiphar had many outward bleflings for hfephs fake: like- 
 wife Pharaoh and all his Court fared the better becaufe ofloftph: 
 be and his houfe had a full Table, when others perifhed with hues 
 
 ger • 
 
 Yea, GodlincfTe,and Godly men are profitable to all purpofes, 
 I Tim. 4. 8 . having the promije of the life that now is,and of that which 
 is to come* * , 
 
 Hence we may conclude the madnelTe and unreafonablenefle 1 - 
 of all unregenerate perfons.who hate the godly,\nd perfecute them 
 continually. although they are their bed freinds, preferring them 
 from many Judgments, and procuring to them many temporal! 
 bleflings: every man naturally feekes the deftruclion of things dan- 
 gerous, and deadly to him,but who but anreafonable men will 
 feek to deftroy things ufefull, and profitable to thenb yea perfons, 
 and things without which they cannot fubfift/for were the Godly 
 taken out of the world,a floud of fire would quickly confume the 
 wicked • 
 
 A whole City was preferved, for a time, for Lots fake , Getil 
 1 9.12*/ cannot do any thing till thou be come U Zoar. 2 VJe* 
 
 This fiioold make every one to love and cherifli thefe profi- 
 table Tress where ever they grow,and to defend them from fpoyle, 
 or hurt,as much as in us lies . 
 
 When Onefimtis was ingrafted into Chrift, then he became 
 profitable 3 both to P«i»/,and to others, Spijlle to Vhilimon. 10,11. 
 NoVo profitable , both to thee and me: fo that Vaul requires of 
 Vhilemon to accompt of him now,noc as a fcrvant t bat as a brother, 
 evenasofP«*«/himfeIfe, verf. 12. So that we fhould love the 
 people of God.not only becaufe they are betov'dofGod^nd beare 
 his Image, and are fellow brethren&ndftllow ^Members with us, 
 but alfo becaufe they are fo many waies profitable. AUhoughtht 
 
 graft changes 
 
 «— — . " ■ ■' ■ the fa of t kg 
 
 The feventy fixth Obfervation in Nature. Vila flock, 
 
 J into us owne 
 
 HT£& forver, and bitter fap of the wi.'d (lock* ( which is in- 2{ature, yet 
 
 grafted) runs through all the whale tree, into the body , not totally ; a 
 
 bough es ^ranches , buds 7 leaves f bloffomcs % f'Mts t and does fomething tang of the 
 
 V a imbaje Wild nature 
 
 rtma'tnes. 
 
154 Thefpirhuafafe of 
 
 imbafa the fruit s y making them Itjfe pteafant t and(vt>ette> jet the 
 fruits are good , and Acceptable fruits. 
 
 This fhid owes out onto us: Thit 
 
 Vropofithn Tfe mo ft fpiritudl ablings of believers taft of corrupt nature ^hich 
 Jhadowed, not with fianding are acceptable unto God. 
 
 Thefoule, andlphit of man is the/?or£jnto which the w ordof 
 
 gad^nd Principles of grace are ingrafted , and thefe drawing, 
 
 and making o[eofthe fap t ltfe f firength, and powers of the foule in 
 
 all the facu!ties,doe change them into their owne fpirituall nature, 
 
 a Ofthis fee j n a g reaC meafure, yet not total!y;even as the *naturall grafts of a 
 
 ObF P ^ Il9 "g odand pteafant nature do change the fap, vert ue^andftrength of 
 
 " V the wild and (oVeerftockes (fo much thereof as the Grafts draw} 
 
 into their owne nature, in a great meafure, but not wholly* 
 
 Though Chriji and his graces dwell in his people,yetcoy^/>« 
 tionCm a raeafure)abides there allc^and this corruption runs through 
 the whole msn, and is mixed with all our tbwghts t words % and 
 atlings i though they proceed from the \principles and habits of 
 grace fixed in the foule by the fpiritof God; as fome noxious , or 
 butifull quality in the Liver roixeth it feife with the blood, and 
 ftaines it throughout all the body . 
 
 Spiritual! ails, as they proceed fsom the fpiritof God t Vrint 
 ciphs of grace % and aredone mlove to God) and dtreded loright 
 ends, are pure and perUcl thefe fruits have a pleafant tail with God 
 the husbandman;yetas they proceed ftom us,and are aded in,and 
 through the faculties of the fouie(where Corruptions ^ndtmperfe • 
 ilions refide)they are imperii Ft, 
 
 This mixture of corruptions with our fervices and duties was 
 typified in the offerings of thepeople,£A-oi 28.38. 
 
 Aaron /a type of Chrift) bore the iniquity of the holy things. 
 
 And the Prophet JE.%(upon this accornpi) pronounces all our 
 be ft righteoufnejfes to be as filthy raggs t Efaj^.6. The Apoftle 
 alfo knowing this, complained Qfit t Rom*y>2i . I findaLaw, thai 
 Vihen I tyould do gtod-> evil I is prefent with me* All believers 
 know, and find this by continual! Experience . 
 1 Vfc- This (hewes the vanity and unfoundneiTe of that Doctrine that 
 maincainesgood wox&es &s meritorious t znd meanes ofjuftification: 
 
 but 
 
a Garden of Fruit-trees] 155 
 
 but let us looke unto ChtiCl our highPriefl tobearethe imper- 
 fections of our btft \\>or^s. 
 
 Theconfiderationof this may be a meanes to pull downe the 
 bigh thoughts of fuch as are lifted op,in looking upon their gifts 2 V(e y . 
 of T^ature ^acquired abilities ,graces andbeft vcork.es, in regard Cor» 
 vuption runnes through &U thefe t and ftaines them s ouc pureft 
 wine is mixt with water^ and our hft.fr/iitsut but bitter* 
 fweets . 
 
 This fhould make us rejoice in, and admire the infinite love of 3 VJt* 
 God in Chnlh who notwithftanding all imperfections, and 
 failings, accepts,and likes (yea and is delighted with) the duties, 
 and fervices of bis people; Love covireth all fins, Prov. io. 12. 
 
 Though the Church and every believing (bale be black and 
 ipotted as the Moone> through the ftaines of Corruptions , yet fuch 
 is the loveof Chrift.that he over lookes all, as though nothing 
 were amifle, fan. 4, 7. Thou art faite mj love t there isnofpot in thee* 
 
 The feventie feventh Obfervation in Nature. 
 
 12V^ Fruit' trees are tVco T^atures^ the one of the fewer ^ild ftocf^ 
 the other if the pleafant grafti Tfyw thefe two natures being in 
 cne body ftrive together, as all contraries (joined)do f to convert each 
 other into its otone kinder nature^ but the Nature of the a Even as hot water and cold 
 
 iraft is predominant.and converts the faphhat it drakes'] h a dn ^ mi f d • thefe <l ua I»'« 
 • * • «. 1 1 11 c-„ „„„"" ve to change each other,and 
 
 tnto tts oWne nature; though not totally. See pag. thatwhich is 6 moft poWcrfuU 
 
 1 19. prevaiies. 
 
 This Obfervation ftiadowes out unto us; That 
 There is acentinmU cembate betweene 'grace and nature in every 
 regenerate per (on t but grace prevaiies . 
 
 Every believer by engrafting into Chrift, receives another na- Tropo/itioH 
 ture.the Divine 2^ature,z?eu 1 .4. which abides in the foule , to fi*d°md' 
 gether w th the other , the corrupt nature wqich it 
 had before; Now thefe two natures being conrary oppofe 
 one another all pur lives long; There are morions of the fpirit, 
 and motions of the fle/h , upon alloccafions.woriUngs, and incli- 
 nations in the foule towards , and againft good and evill , 
 
 V 2 Gal. 
 
1 5 6 The ffiritiiafofe of 
 
 Gal. 5. 17I the pfh Ixftetb againfi the fpirit^r.d the fpirit again fl 
 the pfb,and the/e are contrary the one to the other , fo that ye cannot do 
 the things that ye wculd.Thehifti ftiil moves againft the motions of 
 the fptnc of God,and principles of grace.frammg objections, and 
 reafoningsagain(!gooclmoticns,/?!e*«.7«2i. I find then als£to % thai 
 Vohenl Would do good % evill is prefent vt>ithmt% The fpirit is ready 
 to every good worke, but thefledi islluggifh, loatb,backward, 
 verf. 22. / delight in the Law of God concerning the inner man % but 
 1 fee another Law in my Mtmhrs warring againfl the Ldfo of my 
 mind &c. 
 
 But now,though it be fo,chat the motions of the fkfli oppofe 
 the motions of the fpirit, yet for ail thai theipirituall man roles 
 . inthejbole, for the maine and generality of our lives: And 
 Chriftiansknow by Experience that (according to the promife 
 Gal. 5.16. JValke in the fpirit, andje /hall not fulfill the lufis of the 
 Pfh) when they walkecircomfpe&iy, and watch over the heart,ro 
 keepeit npinafpirituallframe, in communion with God, then 
 the pfh is /oft; , and kept under. 
 1 Vfe. Seeingtbere isacontinuallcombatebetweene the pfh and the 
 fpirit^hts ftiou'd make us watchful! againi! thtpfh chat it prevaile 
 notjwe know the fle(h never ftors but to do us hurt.* who would 
 cot be incenfed againft foch an enemie/* now the way to pre* 
 vaile againft the pfh is to cherifh, and delight to obey the mo- 
 tions of the fpirit^s before,^/. 5 1 6. 
 
 kJc 
 
 Thefeventie eighthObfervation in Nature. 
 
 Ome fruit-trees (as being of different kinds, and for (ever all other 
 uaufes)bring forth more fruits than others- and the fame fruit* trees 
 bring forth more fruits fome Jeares-, than they do fome other yeares t 
 Sxperiinee tells nt, that When there comes a pleafant, and mild 
 fpring(mth other concurrent advantage s)trees beare as many fruits \as 
 in 3 or 4 other jeares . 
 *Propofttion> _...„. ^, 
 
 %adowed. This lhadowes out unto us, That 
 
 Some believers are {by advantage s)more fruit full than others, and 
 at fome % more than at other times . 
 
 Every 
 
aGdrdcnofFruit-trceu 157 
 
 Every Chriftian being engrafted into Chrift brings forth forne 
 good fruits;and having a Talene,or more, a ftock^tf grace, gifts, 
 and advantages ,he imploycsand improves all one way orother.for 
 the honour of God; butfome believers have greater meafures of 
 grace, and more advantages of improving rhem than others, and 
 therefore their returnes are greater, and their fruits are more. 
 
 We fee /fcfor r£. 25. 20. He that had five Tdhnts he brought 
 forth more fruits than they that had received lefts'. And the 
 Apoftle faies iCor. 15. 10. / labored more abundantly than the j 
 all . 
 
 Some Chriftians as they have greater meafures of the (pirit, 
 and the'graces of the fpirit, fo they have better naturall parts, and 
 more outward helps and warns, inrefpe&of time to heare, and 
 read the word, to converfe with others, fpeciall difpenfations of 
 Providence, and the like advantages) whereby they are enabled to 
 bring forth more fruits than others who want fuch helps?and means 
 of fruitfulnefle . 
 
 Some are carried on with vigorous a flings of r pir it, with a lively 
 hopeiwhh iflrong faith jn'h\\ fervent love,&nd with great meafures 
 of every grace ,and can do>and fuffer more for God 3 than other be* 
 lieverscan. 
 
 0:hers agairte hiving but weake naturall parts, fmafl meafures 
 of knowledge and grace, wanting helps and meanes of growth and 
 improvement, having but dim evidencesof the love of God, their 
 fruits are according to thefe, ftwir, and [mailer than fo me other 
 Cbrtflians bring forth . 
 
 Yes: the fame individual^ perfon brings forth more and better 
 fruits at (omefeafons than at others. 
 
 At thofe times when the foule is in a more fpirituall frame and 
 temper ,in more immediate communion with God, when the fpiric 
 of God fenfibly a&uates, and quukers the 'Principles, and habits 
 of grace in the foule,and makesthem lively, and vigorous, when 
 the North and fouth wind jb)ow upon ihe Gardens, then the [pices 
 thereof ft<jWfortb t and fruits abound. But at fome other times the 
 a&ingsofthe foule are but lowland weake,while the fpirit with* 
 drawes and withholds his operations; if the winds blow not , 
 the (hip with all its failes moves (lowly. 
 
 This being fo:lec no fiacere foule be difcouraged ,and dishirrned 1 Vfel 
 
 V l (yeilding, 
 
15$ The fpirituall tife of 
 
 (yeiiding to a temptation) to fee fome other Chriflians go beyond 
 thero in froitfotce£le: iffuch diligently prefTe on towards the 
 mark?, they dull be accepted . It may be others have received 
 more from Gad than thou haft .more Talents of Gifts t Graces, time, 
 and many advantages: Now there being a fmcere^ and ready 
 mtndjt is accepted according to what a man hath t and not according ta 
 what he bath not % 2 Cer.8«1 2. 
 zZ/fel Secondly: feeing we arc more fruitfull at fome than se 
 
 other times, this (hould teach every one of us fo obfeive and 
 watch over the frame of our fpirits from day to d>y,that fowhen 
 they are in that iow,andduIl temper, we may endeavour ( whac 
 in us I;es)by all experienced meanes to raife them oat of it > into 
 that fpirituall and lively frame, afore mentioned; wherein we 
 bring foithw«ye//w»,andobtaine unspeakable advantages. 
 
 The feventie ninth Obfervation in Nature. 
 
 HTHe husbandman rejetls not his fruiutrees becaufe they fomttimss 
 faile in bringing forth fruits^ perhaps a cold time may come when 
 they are in bloffome, and] pule much ormofiofthem, or if that (mis 
 they bring forth be fome^hat imperfefl byfpots,rovghnej[e t chaps, or 
 the like, yet if ittaj} well, if it have a good relifh^hs approves of the 
 fruits, and commends them , makes much of 'the tree i% notwithfiandhg 
 all imperfeclions in both . 
 
 Hence we learne this Leffon, That 
 
 God be ares Vvitb the failings, and imperfeclions of 'his people , and 
 Yropofiuon ^ evey nA ^ t0 ta j^ mt j ce of >and commend the good that is in them. 
 
 The Lord is pleafedtobeare with the failings of his people,and 
 feemes not to fee them,but contrariwife takes notice of what good 
 is in them ; and fpeakesof it with commendation.as if it were their 
 owne. 
 
 We fee this folly in the cafe of Job: God paffeth by his many, 
 and g^eat failings, and fcarce takes notice of them (in (landing fo 
 much upon his jufiification , and breaking cat to cttrfe the day of hid 
 birth^cjbut on the contrary obferues>and commends what is good 
 in him, Te have not fpohn of me the thing that is right 7 M my fer- 
 
 vant 
 
 fhadotved. 
 
a Gardenof Fruit-trees* 1 5p 
 
 vant Job bxth^nd Jam. 5. 11. ye have heard of the patience of fb. 
 
 David finned, and failed very much in many things, as in pur* 
 pofwgi and going about to deflroy T^aball , and all his houfe, 2 Saw. 
 25. 22. without a juft caufe:in numbring the people, and in many 
 other thing? upon record;aII which God paffeth by as if they had 
 not beene,and hits of h\tn t thai < David walked before him with a per- 
 fed hear,tand departed not fram him in any thingjave in the matter of 
 Vriah , 1 Kings 15.5* 
 
 How wonderfully didGodbeare withJoW^and how mild was 
 God towards him, when Una was up in an angry,fturdy humour, 
 and would needs maintaine it> and anfwere God peremptorily, 
 I do well to be angrjjonah? 4.9.S0 Chrift paffeth by the ignorance 
 and prejudice of T^athaniel concerning himfelfe, and infted of 
 a reproofe gives him a commendation, Behold an Ifraelite indeed 
 in whom there is no guile } Joh. 1.46. 47, 
 
 And as this is the love of Chrift towards particular perfons, Co 
 alfo towards his whole Church: though the Church be as full of 
 fpots as the Moone^ei the exceeding love of Chrift coversa mul* 
 tit tide of faults, Prov. 10. 12 -and faies j host art all f aire my love, there 
 is no \ pot in thee>Can.4-j. Love beareth all things jendureth all things , 
 
 God doth not only corceale the failings of his people very 
 much, but he takes notice of » and commends the raoft fecrec 
 good they doe: and fometimes publifherh the fecret and clofet 
 good works of his people upon the houfe top, Luk.- 12. 3. Dothat 
 Vpbich is good, and thou {halt have praife of the fame, Rom* 133. Yea 
 •praife noton\y of men but if God, Rem. 2. 29, Asitisoor duty to 
 fpeake well of God.and the things of God, to his pra-iejfo it is the 
 pieafure> and good will of God to fpeake well of hr« people, to 
 their praife and commendation ; fo he fpake of is%haham,Gen* 
 18.19.I know that he w: II command his children and hwfhild to walks 
 inmy waies,&c*The like commendation is given ofAIofef^ Myfer* 
 vant Mofes n faithfullin all mine bcufelThzre are many inftances of 
 Gods concealing the faults, and failings of his people, wi;h com* 
 mendation of the good that is in thsm. 
 
 Now God jadgerh righteous judgment, therefore 'tis our true 
 honour to be commended by him. Not he that commendeth himt 
 felfe is approved \but he whom the LordcommendethjlCor.iO.id* 
 
 This 
 
i6o The ffirltudl ttfe of 
 
 iVfe* This (liould make ns very carefull to avoid whit may offend 
 
 this our indu!gene,and gracious father; feeing be fhewes his love in 
 concealing our faults, let us (hew cur love in fuppreffingj and 
 declining what is evill:!et this be one fruit of our Zove to God: 
 Let it be far from us to turnethis grace.andkindnefleof God inro 
 wantonneiTe, to be the more bold, and take more liberty in fini 
 ning becaufe God is fo ready to pardon and paffe it by,*?/*/. 97. 
 1 o.Yei ^ that love the Lord Jhsttf evilh the hatred ofevill ii a fruit of 
 love, 
 iVfe* The consideration of this is a fpeciall mcanes to fupport the peo« 
 
 pie of God againft difcourageroents.and droopings in looking up- 
 on fins>& failing? :feeing we Terve fo good a mailer that is not rigo* 
 rous, and fevere 3 as fome earthly Matters are.that all their poore 
 diligent fervants can do will not pleafe them; but our Mifter 
 is of a fweete nature, palling by the infirmities } and accepting the 
 Gncere indeavours of his fervants, and that with commends 
 tion, . 
 3 Vfe. Hence we (hould be greatly encouraged in all well doing, and 
 
 be the morediligent,and induftrious to pleafe God in all things; 
 an ingenuous, and goodnature will do more for love than foe 
 /*?«3r*,a fervant though but morally honefb and of a good difpo- 
 fition will do more for a mild Matter that beares with him, than 
 . if he werebaifh.aod hard to pleafe: The Cords of love and kind* 
 nefle will draw a man of an honett mind in the way of obedience 
 fatter than fcourgescao drive him. 
 4 Vli. We (hould fee this before us as a patteme for onr imitation:if 
 
 God be fo kind and forbearing towards us,bet weene whom there 
 is fach an infinite diftance, (hall not we mete the fame meafure 
 towards our fellow brethren? it is theufe the Apottle makes of 
 the fame doclrine,iJ^.4.ii* Beloved, if God fo loved us, we 
 aught alfo to love one another'. Let us beare with one anothers 
 infirmities,and take notice of all the good we can in each other. 
 This is to be like God, 
 
 Shall God forgive Talents of fins to us, and fhall not we for- 
 give a few pence to our brethren.' See thereproofe and punifh- 
 ment of the want of this dnty^Afatth* 1 8.32.3 3 .Confider the fweet 
 exhortation of the dpoflle to this purpofe, Eph. 4. 23. "Be ye 
 
 kin 
 
& Garden of Fruit-trees^. 1 6 1 
 
 kind em to another ^tender harte A forgiving one another , even as Go<* 
 for Chrifis^-ke hath forgiven you , 
 
 The eightieth Obfervation in Nature. 
 
 FRuif trees bring forth their fruits in their fe afons\fome at one time t 
 fome at another, fome fooner t fame later in fommer, and AutumniX 
 every fynd obferves the L^w of Nature which Cjod hath fixed in them 
 inrejpttl of times and feafons of bearing fruits. 
 
 From hence we may obferve ; That 
 
 Irsesofthe Lords planting bring forth fruits feafonablj'% Tropcfition 
 
 fhadowed* 
 All that are branches of the true Vine doe not only bring 
 
 forth good fruits, and by the purging, and ordering of rhe huf« 
 bandman bring forth much good fruit, John 15. 2, but alfo they 
 bring forth good fruit in due (eafon: good fruits brought oniunfea* 
 fonably loofe thereby much of their beauty, and goodnefle,- there* 
 fore obferve the feafon . 
 
 The Prophet David defcribing a Godly roan, one of his pro- 
 perties is this,^ brings forth his fruit indue feafon y Tfal.i .3. Solo* 
 monftkt, afooleutters all his mind, but a wife man keeps it in 
 till afterwards:Pm%2Q7. A wife man brings forth the fruit of his 
 Zips feafonably. 
 
 Thevoiceofafocle is in the multitude of words] while others are 
 fpeskingjthatY no good feafon^hat a man fhould ftay and wait 
 for a fit time ,for an opportunity, when his words may be heard, 
 yea, and when the minds of the heaters are beft prepared to 
 hear fu<h,orfuch a truth, whenits mod like to take impreflioh: 
 Believers have fpirituall wifdome,wifdome from above, Efay. 50. 
 4. The Lord hath given me the tongue of the leamed t that I might 
 know how to fpeake a Word in feafon to him that is weary ', Tnough 
 this be principally meant of Chrift the head, yet his mernbersjhave 
 from him the fame fpirit of wifdome to fpeake feafonably towea* 
 ry foules,and to fpeake in the caufeof God, when there is occa- 
 iion and feafon. 
 
 This is to admonifh every one to confides and obferve the fen- iZJfe* 
 [on^hzfittej? feafon for every duty, looking unco Cod for dire- 
 
 X flion 
 
162 The [fhitudl ufe of 
 
 dion therein. This will ba much to the beamy,and worth of them* 
 Every thing-is beautiful! inhis ieafon; To every thing there is a fta- 
 fatt,Eccl%s-i* Circumstances commonly mske or marre thing:* 
 and fomeurneschat which is a dnty&% to the [affiance, and mutter 
 is tum'd into (in -in refped of the manner, and tints of performance'* 
 i'o ch&t this is of very geac confequence, to obferve a due feafon in 
 dntks.Tiov. I 5-23. A word [pokf Kin [ea\on \iuVq good is it! it is like 
 Apples of goldjn piUures of fiiver^Vrcv.lyi 1, 
 
 The husbandman iookes,and csl's for fruits in their feafon, Marl 
 .12,2. At the feafon he jent a fervent that he might receive of the fruits 
 of the vineyard a So Mat 1 1 .41- 
 
 We ought in private meetings to cortfider what difcourfe is mofi 
 ftafonab'e : what queftions, exhortations, reproofs, &re mod futable 
 and feafon*bU, and accordingly apply our felves: our fpirits 
 at Come fea[o%s we fairemore aptto receive impreffions than at 
 other times 
 
 Now therefore we fhould bg feafon able in pubHqoe and private 
 duties; but fome take little heed to this, when the fubjec% they 
 hold forth in Sermons fuite neither with perfans nor things{to which 
 they ought to apply their docVine, if they will fpeake fea* 
 fonably) but are like /«<AV inharvefl^or fmging \ongs to an heavy 
 heart. Many things ^materially good, For want of due cir- 
 cumstances and feafonableneffe in performance are of Iktle 
 worth. 
 
 Thofe doctrines in pu'olique, and difcourfes and dories in 
 private, which are not only agreeable to the word in general! 
 but alfo concurre with and carry on Gods mdne de fgr.es in the 
 generation we live in, fuch fruits are fcafonable fruits, otherwife 
 (though good in themfelves) they are not (eafonab!e\ Alfo when 
 the word is fo divided as to give to evesy one his portion and 
 application is made to particular, and different cafes and 
 Conditions of perfoss, then tbefe fruits &rs fealonably brought 
 forth . 
 
 The 
 
d Garden of Fruit-trees^ 1 63 
 
 The eightie firft Obfervation in Nature. 
 
 FRuitftreesyeild forth their fruits, a* rot II to the w'ckjd as the 
 godly : The unholy and profane do yearly ea? % and drinke of 
 their fruits and have profits t and advantages by them as well aiths 
 mojl holy. 
 
 This fhidowes out unto us; Tha6 Trcpofition 
 
 The go&ly are profitable not onl/ one to another , but the wicked jfr a dorved. 
 alfofaire the bitter for thim . 
 
 They that feare God have great and precious promifes made 
 to them concerning the good things of this life , as we!! as of the 
 life to eome 3 which(7od performeth them as he fees is belt for 
 them,of which outward good things the wickedf who grow amongfl: 
 them as Tares aroongft the Wheate)are partakers • 
 
 AlfOjbeing partakers of the divine nature ,and having the fpirst 
 of their heavenly father dwelling in them, they imitate God in 
 fome meafare,who doth good to the }uft,and unjufi, and lets his 
 ralne fall, and fun fhine upon the wicked, and the good, Matth, $ 25. 
 They do good to ^/.according to the command, Gal 6. 10. and that 
 cf Matth.^.^^. Love your enemks>bltffe them that curfe you, do good 
 to them that hate you 9 and pray for them that dffpiiefully ufeyou,and 
 ferfecute you . ' 
 
 Wicked men (hire both of privative* andpofirive bleflings a* 
 mong the godly: Even Sodome was fpared for a time, while righ- 
 teous Ln was among them ♦ How many fared the better for 
 Jofephs fake ? 
 
 David wis kind to cnurhfh NabalAn keeping bis Cattle from 
 fpotle while he remained by them. 
 
 Lab an was blefiedfin outward ihings) for Jacobs fake, Qen 30. 
 27. Votiphar and his houfe, Pharaoh and all Egypt fared the bet- 
 ter for JoVp^Gm 3 9. 5. and 41. &c. 
 
 Alforhey^/wz/f, exhort, and admon'tfhtht ungodly, as well as 
 the godly,chey g(ve,andlend, anddoe good not only to them that 
 will do good and lend;) and give to them, but alio to their ene* 
 wiesitf their enemy hunger they will feede h\m % if he thirfi they will 
 give him drinke. V 2 Hence 
 
1 6% Thefthitmll ufe of 
 
 i Vfs. Hence we m -ly take notice of the noble, and excellent nature of 
 Cods peopkjin chat they do good to ail; to thofe who do hurc 
 CO them. the ungodly are not t'ouhe righteous u more excellent than 
 hii{cyi\te\\)neigkbour$YOv.\2,z6 and Vrcv. 17.27. He u of an 
 excellent [pint . Herein he holds forth fome refemblance of 
 the Nature of God his father, who does good to the jail, and 
 unjufc . 
 
 2 'Vfe. We may alfo hence take occafion to obferve the bafeneffe, and 
 unworthineHe of the fp'.rits of ungodly p:rfons , who hate 
 the righteous, notwith&anding all their love; rheyreturne evtll 
 fot Good^faL 1 09.4. for my love thty are mine adverfariss . This 
 is the higheft aggravation of mans fin agiinft God, to fin sgainfl: 
 /<jz>£,againi$ mercy, and kfndneffe. God calls Heaven and Earth to 
 wonder at it, £(aj 1.2. Here O Heavens tandgivse are O Eanh % 
 &c* I have nounfhed and brought up children^and they have ribelt 
 led againfi me, fo (in a proportion) is the fin aggravated in refpeft 
 cf mer.:i£ is the higheft ingratitude to returne £<«*, frr lave, tvill 
 
 for a cod* 
 
 The eightie fecond Obfervation in Nature. 
 
 ^Omefrultt trees are (Info in bearings fruits , m.iny y eases' paffe ere 
 k^/thtj/ letre any con filterable quantity of fruits \bt4t notwithfl anding 
 the huibandrr.an does not presently cut them doWrne, but prunes thtm, 
 diggs about thtm y waters t ttnd orders ihem from years toyeare t and waits 
 for their fruits. 
 
 This ftiadowcs out onto as this Proportion • That 
 
 Whin men are flow in the duties ef obedience, Cjod is patient 
 
 Vropoftion tnvards them , and in the ufe cf allmeanes ^atts for their fruitful* 
 
 (hadovped, neffe « 
 
 God is the great Husbandman of his Vineyard the Church, and 
 having many fruit trees init.be prunes, orders , and gives them 
 conveniens culture from yeare to yeare,by hiswordjpirit, Mini* 
 fters, Providences, favours^ frownes, Chafit(rments , and afl raeanes, 
 and lookes every one fhouid be fruit-full under all his diipenfati- 
 
 ons 
 
a Gardencf Fruit-trees* 165 
 
 onsj And yet fo it is, that many are unfruitful!, or beare buc 
 few, and fmsll fruit?; though God exped much, they returne but 
 little, now, notwithstanding God of his infinite patience tarries - 
 and waites upon them for their fruit*. Many yeares did the Lord 
 waice for the fruits of Repentance from the old world, iVet. 3.20* 
 The long (uffering of God waited in the dales of 7*{oah, And E\ay 30 
 18. The Lord will wait that he may be gratious. He Plants, and 
 waters t md prunes,nr,d drejfes his fruit trees, and then Waits for their 
 fruits in their (eafons y Luke i$-J. Thefe three jeares I come feeding 
 fruit on this fig-tree. God cuts not downe fruit-trees fuddenly 
 for their unfruitfulnefle, but fends his Voord.and fpiriti and caufe?h 
 the deWes, andraine of Heaven to fail upon them in manifold 
 mercies, and Providmces,and then waits for,and expecls fruits. God 
 is (as the Apoftlehhh 2 Pet,"$ p.)Longfuffiring to us ward, not 
 ■willing that any fhould periffr, bat that all fhobld come to repent 
 tance . . 
 
 This (hould make us obferve, and admire the abundant kind- * * e% 
 neiTe and love of God towards us, that God who is infinite in poWt 
 er^ifdome, juftice, and abfolute of himfelfe, having no neede at 
 all of his Creatures , and in a moment able to bring to nought 
 whitfoever fhall oppofe him, (hall yet wait upon his Creature*, 
 as if he had fome need of them, orexpecled fome advantage by 
 them.whereas it is for our profit and advantage : hz is indulgent 
 towards his Children, bearing with them; P/. 103. when they 
 beare fome good fruits, he purgetb and prunsth thtmith.it they may 
 bring forth more fruits, lohn, 15.5. 
 
 Yea, he is long fuffvnng towards all, looking thjt the 
 riches of his goodneffe, and forbearance, and long f»f^e>'i>ig 
 Jh mU lead them to Repentance, Km 2.4. and make them to bring 
 forth fruits worthy amendment of life . 
 
 Hence we fhould learne to be thus minded on towards another, 
 efpecially fuch as are Minifiers of the QofpetLLMaflers^Governcurs, 
 Tutourss they fhould therein) be followers of Godot deare children, 
 Eph.^i. though their expectations, and deures be not anfwered, 
 in the profiting and growth of thofe under their charge, yet they 
 fhould not be difcouraged, but wist ftiIS,and prune y and drejfe, and 
 order their young plants ftill.waiting rill their profiling appeare,as 
 
 X 3 ths 
 
 zVje* 
 
l66 The fflrituall ufe of 
 
 the Hmbandman walttth for the fruit of the Earth , and hath long 
 patience for it } ]&mes 5»7« 
 3 Vfe. if God be (o patient towards us,and waies on 05, fhsl! not wee 
 
 be cement to waite on God. ? God waiteth for the fruits cf our. 
 obedience, O let us wait for the performance of hit prsmifts: For 
 they thai: wait for him (kill never be alhamed; thati's, they (hall 
 obtaine at length above their expe&ation, £/"<*;, 64. 4. Since the 
 beginning of the world men have not heard, nar perceived by the eare % 
 neither hath the eye (eene,OGod ! bejides thee t what he hath prepared 
 for him that waiteth for him » 
 
 The eightie third Obfervation in Nature. 
 
 Y Hdmateriallfrtiitttrees have no power to engraft themfefoesi 
 J but groVofrom year toyear y according their -wild nature \ and 
 bring forth fower, and naughty fruits, neither u there any poJfi m 
 bility that fuch Trees pioulb ever be engrafted % and bear 
 good fruits ^without the s\ill t and paines of the Husbandman . 
 
 This is another Similitude of the ftateof (JWyfticall Fruit* 
 D r ' trees^vd (badowes out unco us this Vropofttion : That 
 Vropojition %; regenerate persons (of themf elves) cannot come to Chrifi. nor 
 
 fhadowU hriY)g fonh om g „ d f rHit m 
 
 Naturally every oneis dead in fin, and hath no more power to 
 cometoChrift,ordoonegoodworke, than adeadOtkife hath 
 to waikejor workejo^.6.44. 2Vj? man cancome to me except the father 
 which hath lent me draw him . 
 
 TheNatut all fruit-tree can asloone graft it felfe as any foule move 
 towards Chrift, without the power of the fpirit of Cod ; The 
 heart of man by nature hath no other but corrupt Principles in ir, 
 which all the time of unregeneracy daily grow ftrongfr, and 
 firofiger, which are not only altogether indifpofed to ail that is 
 good,but alio oppofe it,and contradid the motions of the fpirit. 
 As they are alive to all that isevill, fothey are dead tohoiinefle, 
 there is no more power in the foole (by nature) to move 
 towards Chrifi > than there is in a (lone to move upwards of it 
 fclfe. 
 
 What 
 
a Gardenof Fruit-trees* 16 '7 
 
 What is leffe than to have a good thought of, or towards God? 
 and yet that we have not without the fpiri", 2^0^3,5. 2¥jt that 
 weare fttjficient ofottr felvss to thinke any thiKg 7 as of our tdvesjmt 
 our fuffciency is of God. 
 
 This fhewes us the fid and wofull eftate of perfons oat of iVft* 
 Chrift> and out of the election of graccthere is no poftibility of 
 their efcapinghell,they are as fad bound in the chaines of natu- 
 ral! corruption, as the Devils are in the Chaines of dark.ntfe t in 
 which they arereferved unto the Judgment of rhe great day.* 
 fuch have their Portion in this life, even all the good things they 
 are like to have. Little teafon then had David, (or any of the 
 people of God in their greateftfufferings)to envy theprofpeiity 
 of the wicked: He counted himfelfe foolifh for fo doing when he 
 faw their end t Vfalm,92 .7. When the Wicked if ring as the Graffe^and 
 the Workers of iniquity doftomi[h y it is that they fhall be defircyed for 
 ever . 
 
 Herealfo we may-fee the Error of thofe who hold free will: zVje* 
 that a naturail man hath power of himteife to move and come 
 to Chrift, this is contrary to the doctrine of Chrift , and 
 takes away his glory from bim> as might be (hewed at targe. 
 
 This is, and will be a concinuall ground of love to God (to 3 Vfe. 
 allecernity)in the hearts of his people,they being drawn to Chriil , 
 and fixed upon him by faith, it is the fpirit that hath donne it, we 
 contributed nothing to the worke, but it is an erTtd offn e Ele» 
 fling love in God- therefore let us fliew forth the praifes of God in 
 a holy, an J fruitful! Convention, for he that h.uh began a good 
 Wxke Will perfctl it unto the day oJ]e(w Chrifl^hil. 1 .6. 
 
 Theeightie fourth Obfervation in Nature. 
 
 Ome Truit trees(tf they be not carejally tookt unto will break out, 
 and tbefap will prejfe upwards in fame ftW branches only,or chiefs' 
 ly and leave ottier branches with little fap, Which g^oW poorely, a^d 
 WeakJy,and(ome die\ whereas a Well ordered Treejhouldfpread.and 
 enlarge it felfe in all the Branches. 
 
 This Obfervation fhadowes out unto us, That 
 
 Some 
 
xt>8 - Theffmtuallufeof 
 
 tpropofitton Some Chriftians chiefiy purfue (ome particular duties belonging 
 fhadotysd. u thent t and negleB others. 
 
 Works and adions of fpitituall fruie*trees may be confide- 
 red as Branches y i& well as [eede 3 or fruits. 
 
 Some per iom(as experience mskes coo manifeO) are very care- 
 fall, and diligent: about fame particular duties , which they carry 
 on from day to day.and its well they do fo, becaufe thofe things 
 thsy ought to debut there are other duties (perhaps equally as con- 
 venient^ neceffaty to be done) which are altogether, or very 
 Hiucb negletled, they flioote forth m fame branches ,but net in all: 
 ehey are content to do lome fmalS,and eafy things iutable to their 
 natures^ and ends 9 while theyncglecl great and fubftantiall mat- 
 ters', our Saviour reproves fuch, Mat. z 3. 23. Ye have omitted the 
 weightier matters of ' thehaw judgment % mercy and faith ,thefe ought ye 
 to have done % and not to leave the other undone . 
 
 Some Chrift ians are aH (or mod) for pMique duties ,md very 
 much negtecl the private*, they heare (it may be) three or foure 
 Sermons on the Lords day(m this place) and often on other day's 
 (and they are to be incouriged in frequent hearing the word) 
 but yet many fuch neglecl(or (lightly performs} private duties of 
 Vr ay er ^meditation examination of the heartland particular application 
 cf the word, without which much hearing is to little purpofe* 
 The heart of man is deceitfull,and Sathan is deceitfull , and both 
 will be ready enough to perfwade and carry on to publique duties 
 all the day (feeing they will needs bereligious)that fo they may be 
 hindred of greater fpirituall advantages.in negletlingthe private dm 
 ties aforementioned, which are abfolutely necelTary to a Chriflians 
 growth in grace. 
 
 Some other ProfelTors are diligent in duties publique> and pri- 
 vate, in reference to themfelves , but negled duties in reference 
 to Qihet$;&$£xhcrtation,Reproofeydiftributing to their necejfities,vifi- 
 ting /^«?fometirnes(efpecially in their afflictions) herein they faile 
 much/although thefe are the greauand weighty duties of fhrifiians: 
 for if we faile in the great duties of love and charity towards our 
 fellow members.what do we, wher's our Religion ? Vure Kel'f 
 gion , and an defiled before (fcd t even the father u this, to vifit the 
 fathsrleffe and \biddowes in their ajfliclions^c. fames 1.27. 
 
 See what oar Saviou rfaies of thefe duties, Matth,2$.%6. Magi' 
 ftrater ODght no: only to rejlraw } andpmifi what h to Gods dif- 
 
 honour, 
 
i Garden of Fruit-trees], 1 69 
 
 fionour, bat alfo to contrive, ftandfor, and upheld whatisac* 
 ceptable to him , 
 
 LMiniflersoftheGefpell ought not only to preach the Gofpell 
 in the publi^M congregation , but alfototake ail occasions *»pri- 
 vate to exhortfTebuke, inftruft, and encourage the people in 
 the things of God, to be in (I 'ant in feaj r on and out of feafon, inqui* 
 ring how the worke of grace goes on in the hearts of their 
 people.and to know their fiat e (which Vaulfo much enquired after, 
 in hisowneperfon,and by others^that he might fpeak, and write 
 more futable to their conditions') Thil, 2. io.CV.4,8. how Sathan 
 works, what difpenfations they have from God, and to learne 
 experiences from thems (ludyingmen, as theyjffudy books, by 
 which coutfethey may become wife,and skillfull workmen, and 
 know thofewaies and workings of God s of Sathan, of Grace and 
 Corruption, which otherwifethey can never know . 
 Vaftorsok congregitions have a ftrict charge. At~ls 20. 28. Take 
 heed to all the floe trover Which the Holy Ghoft hath made you Over* 
 feers : Now to overfee the Church imports more thin only to 
 Preach -in publique, that is but a part of their worke : A fpeci* 
 all cate (hould be had of the different (late of particular per- 
 fens . 
 
 This fhould put us upon Examination what works and duties 
 God requires of us in our generall.and particular Callingsthat 
 knowing them, we may obferve one as well as another, and have 
 iefped to all Gods Qtrnmancls . Let us not fuffer one duty to 
 juftie out another, which is frequent among Chriftians: Many 
 think if they are (till doing what is good, and about the worke 
 of Godithey look not fo much_about them, nor confider what is 
 neceflary btftdes.ot what is more necejfary and profitahle^nd fomany 
 times neglecl the maine worke. They let fome branches of duties 
 wither, and dye> while the fap and ftrength of the Treeprcffcth 
 forth,and spends ic felfe in other branches lejfe fruitful! . 
 
 The 
 
 Vhl 
 
J 70 The fptrituall ufe of 
 
 (hadowed, 
 
 The eightie fifth Obfervation in Nature. 
 
 Hilefrmt'trees remaine ungrafted t all the labour , and cul- 
 tttre, the husbandman can befloVe upon them will not make 
 them bring forth good\fruits s though they groVc in the be [I place of 
 the. Garden t and be watred, pruned, and ordered never [0 well , jet 
 hecaufe they art ungrafted, and wild trees jhey W/7/ heart [ower and 
 noughtj fruits . 
 
 This is another Similitude of the fi:ate of fpiritoall fruifctrees, 
 and fhidowes oat unto us this e Ptopo futon : That 
 
 While perfons nmaint in an unrtgemrate [i ate ^ all theme anes of 
 Vrcpofitim g raee jf unprofitable te them . 
 
 Many make a ptofeffion,whoyet have nothing of the power 
 
 of godlineife.- they attend the Ordinances, they hare the ward, 
 pray, have priviledga among the Saints yet ,bring forth no good 
 ft mi. Judgments i Aie*ciet- ) fav'j,urs i omVcard providences , inward wor- 
 kings of the fpirit by w.protfe&yCmnfdtSyinligbtxingSi&c , ;$\\ is in 
 vaine to themjhey cannot receive thefe things, nor profit by them, 
 becaufe not engrafted,? hey reje&the wotd,P/>/. 50, 17* Thou 
 hate ft inftruBion,and cafiefl my words hhind thce\hxi& Htb.42.The 
 word preached did net pre ft them^not being mixed with faith in. them 
 that heard it . 
 
 And as theyrejed the word, Co alio they refid the fpirit; ABs 
 7.5.1. TV do alwaiesnfifl the Holy Ghojf; as, your fathers did, fo do 
 fee* Yea Judgments, and puni/hmeius are inefn&uall to them t 
 £fay 9. 15.. The pettple turneth not. unto him that frmtetb them > 
 neither do they fee^e the Lord. of Hefts, Antas 4. 9. I have fmittta you 
 With blafting t andwildew>,&c.jet ye have-not returned unto mee, faith 
 the Lord: I have fent amcung you pejlilencet^axdfe have not returned 
 tinto me, hndverf, 11. 1 have overtbroltone feme of you &c.yetje have 
 not returned unto mee,faith the Lord . 
 
 So we fee all that God dotb for>or againft perfons out of Chrift, 
 all the meanes of grace is unprofitable to them ; they neglecl 
 the mercies ofGod> reject the word, fpirit } judgments ofGod-, and all 
 
 the 
 
a Gay dm of Fruit-trees. iy s 
 
 the nprcofes^admonitions 9 Counfelsȣxhortatknsi and Examples of 
 his people . 
 
 Hence we fee the miferable condition of perfons out of Chrift, \VU* 
 feeing nothing Will do good upon them', would it not be accom* 
 pteda heavy curfe, if the Lands of fome men ftiould bring forth 
 nothing but bryers,thorKS t and Weeds., with aii the good husbandry 
 that could be bellowed on them ,wkhr aine, I unne t and dewes, when 
 by the fame meanes, other mens grounds are made fruitful! ? this 
 fpiritmll curfe upon the foules of unregenerate perfons is infu 
 nicely greater: rach (without Repentance) are nigh untocurfmg % 
 and evcrlafling burnings, Heb.6.S, 
 
 Labour then with ail thy might to get this evidence of Regent- 2 Vfe\ 
 ratio'n^vtn to thrive t and profit by the meanes of grace* 
 
 The eishtie fixt Obfervation in Nature. 
 
 "D 
 
 I\ Rttit- trees -when thtj prosper Well, and grow in a decent , comly 
 firme, and bring forth much good fruit, as they do profit many, fo 
 al\o hereby they credit the husbandman , they bring foms 
 reputation to him Who orders them\but if they grow poorely , and bring 
 forth little ythey difcredit their keeper. 
 
 This teacheth us this teflon : That 
 
 fhriflians by walking holily, and fruitfully ; they bring much honour „, ., , - 
 to god } but ifotherW^difhonour . fbXwlT 
 
 Every one of the people of God that profeffeth Cbrift, is as a 
 City upon a hill,as our Saviour faid of his difciples, and therefore 
 their waies are ken, and obferved by all forts of perfons, fo that 
 ifthey walke wifely, circumfpe&ly, and fruitfully, they bring ho- 
 nour to God>and credit to their profeflion,^f<«r^ 5. i6. Let your 
 light fofhine before men, that they may fee your good works-, and glo- 
 ri fie y our father which is in heaven : And againe, \Pet* 2.12. 
 having your converfation honefi among the Gentiles &c. they may 
 by your good Works which they fbdll beheld gltrify (/od in the day of 
 vifttation . 
 
 But if on the contrary profeflfors walke loofely>and negligently, 
 thefe things rcflecl upon Cod, to his difhonour; As afervant to 
 
 X 2 a 
 
1 7 2 Thefprituall vfe of 
 
 a great perfon.if he behave hirofelfe licentioufly by dronkenefle, 
 {wearing, and the like it refieds in (ome fort)upon hisMafter, 
 who keeps fuch a petfon in his houfe. So it is becweene God and 
 his people: if they wa!kecircumfpedfcly,in a holy and fruitful! 
 conversation they glonfie the name of God to whom they have 
 relation,butif they walke vainely, and loofely, if -hey wiike in 
 pride, minding earthly things fthe two grand fin* of many 
 profeffours in our times ) fcrapirg>and holding together the trafti 
 of the world, as though there were no better things tote had in 
 the waiesof ^rodjthen they caufe the name of God to be blafphemed, 
 his waies tobefcandalized, and the generation of his children to 
 be reproached, *£<? name of God it blafphemed through you, Rom. 2, 
 24. James 2>y. 
 1 Vfel Let fuch as profeffe Chrift depart from iniquity, and labour 
 afrer a holy and fruit full conversion*- for J ^..15,8. Herein it my fa* 
 thsr glorified that ye bring forth much fruit . 
 
 I verily believe, God ruth more honour, Pveligion and the 
 C/ofpell moie credic,by fome one of his peoplef meane and def- 
 pifed, it may be. in the eye of a corrupt mind) than by a > hun- 
 dred others, who yet may have grace to bring them ro he-ven: 
 therefore let us jftnve to out go one another in bringing honour 
 to God by a holy and heavenly converfation . 
 
 The eightie feventh Obfervation in Nature. 
 
 JF a Grafted tree .and a Wild uxg>afted tree groW neere together, 
 both of them fucking one and the famejuyceof the Eartb,tke one 
 converts it into good fap, and nourijbment, and confequemlyinto 
 good and Wholfcme fruit sjhs other tumes the fame juyceofthe Earth 
 intofoVcer, bitter, and it may be {as in fome kinds) into poyfonous 
 fruits; and thU it from the different Formes^ and 2{atures of the 
 Trees. 
 JEW?*;** Thjs fl, a( | owe5 ouc unro us xh\^ r6 p f n i'onx That 
 padowea. J he fame things Which are bleffings to the Godly , are curfes to the 
 
 mc^ed^ecmU of their different Principles • 
 
 The 
 
a Garden of Fruit-trees* 1 73 
 
 The righteeta and the wielded dwell together, they are mixed a* 
 the tvheate and Tare s, Flowers or Weeds in a Garden-, and borh for 
 the moft pare, arc partakers of the fame outward priviledges, but 
 to them fhar are in Chrift, *//«/&»»£/ worke together for their geod t 
 Row.8,28. To the pure all things are pure, but to the unbelieving 
 there it nothing pure, Tit. 1.15. A godly man does not only draw 
 fweetnelTe out of things that are ofthemfelves fweer, out of the 
 Vvord t Ordinances,Chrtftj and his people, but alio even out oft hiugs 
 that are bitterns CroJfes.affl*tlions,'Yemptations t Trials, to him ouc 
 of the ftrongeft comes fweetneffe . 
 
 But now a wild uxgrafted tree,* perfon out of Chrift, he is like 
 the fpider that fucks poyfon out of the fweeteft flowers, the 
 beft things become evillto hxm^bleffmgs become curfesX his health, 
 firength 9 libe* ty, riches ^honours, friends, gifts, Learning, &c. all 
 theie become mares unto him, he makes ufe of them to hisowne 
 fajrjft, dnwesnoibingout of them but ^»,and death. Their Table 
 becomes aft/are to them , and that which fbould have beene for their 
 Welfare, it becomes a T rap ,P fal.69 22. 
 
 Yea, all I r pirit aall things prove for their greater condemnation, 
 they defpife the riches of Godt grace, and turne it info w<i»tonnejfe t 
 "Judeq, and therefore treafure up unto themfelves wrath againft 
 the day of wrath; The very Gofprilit felfef which is the power of 
 Cod to falvation , snd the favour of life unto lip to them 
 who are in Chrift <> thefe wild Plants fuck no fweetnelTe out of 
 it, but to them it h the favour of death unto death, iCor 2. \6 , 
 Yea, the greareft Gift that ever w<s beftowed on the fonnes 
 of men, ftfw £hrift (out of whom the branches ingrafted into 
 \\UT\,d,v&vi fweetntffe, fap and life, marrow and fatntjfe r wine andwa* 
 ter of life) he is not fweete to them , buccontrariwife an offtncel 
 Chrift crucified u to them a /tumbling block an&foohjhn-ffe, 1 Cor, 
 1.2 l.Chriflihu word s huQrdinances ,his people,h\i mercies judgments t 
 all his things are pcrverted.and abufed by them. 
 
 Hence we may fee and admire the free diftinguifliirg love of 
 God towards hisowne people, who maketbfuch a difference be* 1 U/f* 
 tweenerhem and others; fo that all things, even the \\>orft things 
 are gondto them, they draw vircue from them but all things, even 
 the be(i things, are evill to the wicked, they draw poyfon 
 and death oat of them . 
 
 Y 3 Seeing 
 
j 74 The fftritmll ufe of 
 
 Seeing that by reafon of the corrupt nature in the wicked they 
 dtaweviil out of what is good, and that all things are abufed by 
 them to their owne deftru&ioni this fhould caution us alwai'es to 
 beware of their Opinions Judgments^ pratlifes: though they be ne« 
 ver io eminent in parts.and learning, and bring Scripture to back 
 them 5 yet fufped ail, for they cannoc fee nor difcerne; their minds 
 and confciences are defiled, they fuck not the marrow of truth 
 out of the word, but they pervert it to their owne deftruftion, 
 aP*M.i6. they draw poyfon, corrupt do&rine out of the pure, 
 andwhoKome wells offalvation. 
 
 Therefore our Saviour warned his difciples to take heede and 
 beware of the leaven of the Vharifees, andSadduces: which was their 
 dotlrim,Mat.i6. 6,12. The word which is as the VUUr cf fire, and 
 difcovers to the people of God their way, is but a d*k* Cloud 
 to them, Sxoa 4,30. they ftumbie at the Word, yea at Chrifi him* 
 elfe , i?et.2.8.ts£ftone of fiumbling 9 a»d a rock°j offence , even to 
 them Xbhicb ft amble at the word t &c. 
 
 The eightie eighth Obfervation in Nature. 
 
 T 
 
 "He be ft fruit-trees have fame faults ? and de) 'efts , are fubjeftto 
 (jankers, A£oJfineffe % and other difeafes, to luxurious grovoihesx 
 
 fome years they beare but few fruits , and many of them I mall, and 
 
 perhaps fpotted t or chapter otherwife imperfetl* 
 
 This ftndowes out unto us this Propofition. That 
 Propofition The be ft of gods Children are guiltie of many fins and infirmities 
 Jhadotoed. in their conver fattens . 
 
 We know there are two Natures continually working and RtU 
 ving in every regenerate perfon, and fometimes the pfh. prevailes 
 very much, and the graces of 'the jpirit are clouded, and obfeured 
 by it in the befi men. 
 
 LMofes fpake unadvifedly with his lips, VfaU 106 33. *Aaron 
 made an idol for the people. David fained himfelfe mad,iSam. 
 21.13. he nurnbred the people contrary tothemindeof God, he 
 committed adultery, and murther.and finned in many other rei 
 fpecls. Vaul and Earmbat contended together, and parted, 
 
 Ails 
 
a, Garden of Fruit-trees* 175 
 
 AB$ 13. Job and Jeremiah curfed the day of their birth, ^ Jerew 
 20. i^Jonah was very angry without caufe, Chap.4. r , 
 We need not multiply parricularsjthe Experience of the people of 
 God makes this too manifeft, who fay with ?au/ s Rom.j. 15. that 
 which 1 doe>l allow not ^f or Vebat I would, that do I not ■, but what I 
 hate 'that do I , verf.19.The evi/l which I would not that 1 do , Jam* 
 3 .2. In many things Vee offend all . 
 
 The consideration of this fhould humble all the people of God, i vfel 
 feeing we carry about with us a corrupt Nature , and can by no 
 meanes be rid of it . 
 
 Thi4 fhould make every one of lis watchfoll, and circumfpecT 2 VJti 
 3 gam ft fia,and alIenemies,forifthe talleft Cedars, and itrongefl 
 Oakes have beene bowed s and brought downe,how fhall the weake 
 Plant refift,but by drawing continually fap and firengthfrom the 
 Roote* and walking clofely with God. 9 
 
 Tbeconfideration of this Proportion may be a meanes to fray 3 zsfe* 
 the fpirit of a weake Chriftian, who is difcouraged in looking 
 upon his (inland corruption, whatsoever is written, is written for 
 our learning.tbat we through patience &comfort of the Scriptures 
 might have hope: this is one caufe why the faults, and fins of the 
 Saints of old are recorded . 
 
 Take heed of too much admiring the beftmtn j there is drolTe 4 <yr e i 
 mixed with their puteft mettles; It is an error therefore in fome " 
 
 perlons,who take all for granted that fome (whom they admire) 
 deliver in their Sermonsjor otherwife, and that follow their }udg$ 
 ments and Examples becaufe theirs : Let us try all things and hold 
 fafl that Which is goodi iT htf.% ,2. 
 
 ■ -"■" 
 
 The eightie ninth Obfervation in Nature . 
 
 WE fee materiall fruit- trees that are u»grafted(veild trees) as 
 forward to bring forth their fewer, and naughty fruits, as the 
 graUed trees are to bring forth their goodfrttits. Crab-trees and others 
 (of the war/i kinds)are as forward (in the (pring) in bleffomivg, *»d 
 fyootingfonhite grafted trees- of the befl k* K ds> 
 
 This 
 
X 7 6 Theffmtudlufeof, 
 
 Thi? is another Similitude of thefhteof fpintuall fruit -trees) 
 and fhadowes out unto us this Vropofttion, which alio concurts 
 with the wordmd Experience' That 
 , Camall perfons are as forty ard> and zealous in the waies of fins 
 
 tpropoptton ^ r^ HA Uyj t he godly are in the Vi>aies of holinejfe . 
 
 jhadoVced. 
 
 All people are carried on in thofe waies that are futable to 
 their Pri«<:^/f/ f whether fpirituall,or carnal!: Papifts(8c other fuper* 
 flitious peifoos (are as zealous in their waies, asufually menfea- 
 ring God are in Gods waies . 
 
 The Idolatrous people mentioned, ]er 44* were very zealous, 
 and earned in worfhiping their falfe gods, infomuch that when 
 the Vrophet from God told them the danger thereof and that ic 
 would be no leffe than deftrudxion to them if tbey continued fo 
 to provoke Goditheir fpirics rofe againft him, tbey anfwcred him 
 boldly,andftoutly,with oneconfent,zw/i<5, 17. The word that 
 thou haftfpoken to us in the name of the Lord > tye will not heare it 
 of thee, but wee Will doe Vvhatfoever commeth out of our cwne 
 mouth, as to burne incenfe to the ^ueene of heaven, and to powre 
 out drink* offerings unto her, as Wee have done, both wee and our fa* 
 thers y our Kings and our Princes. 
 ^ So were the worfhipers of Baal earneft and forwardin calling 
 upon their /^//.cutting and lancing themfelves: And the people 
 of Ephe[Hs,At~ls 19. how earned were they for upholding (heir 
 < Dianaiver(.i ( &. They were fttllofwrath K and cryed outlaying great 
 it Diana of the Ephejians : and the tyhole (fuy was full of confu* 
 Jion % and they rnfhsd into the £ommon place with one corftnt, &c. So 
 •verf. 24. 
 
 How vehemently earnefl have we feene camall perfons for up« 
 holding the booke ef Commoner ay er, receiving the Lords Supper at 
 Eafter &c? Wherein they will not be hindred, an experiment! 
 whereof we had lately offomegrofly ignorant perfons,who were 
 prevented atone place from receiving the (urament of the (upper 
 from the hand of a profane Minifter,they went after him the fame 
 day,to another p!ace,wading through he waters (which then by 
 reafon of great raine overflowed the banks) to come to him,out of 
 theit blind zede not knowing what they did . 
 
 And 
 
a Garden of Fruit- trees] 1 7 7 
 
 and for all fuperfiitious cufiomes, fea flings ,mxy. game s> merry mee* 
 tings,*nd fuch like.who amongft the godly are more forward,and 
 reidyin the waies of Qod, thanthefe kind of perfons are in thei* 
 rvaies of Jin ? - 
 
 Nowthereafon of this is, becaufetbe wa r es of fin are agree- 
 able and fntabb to the Nature of car nail perfons ; and Secondly : 
 hecnufc Sat han worses mightily in the fpirits of foch perfons, to 
 ftirrethem up, andco carry themonincarnall courfes-efpecially 
 in any thing which bath in it but the leaft (hew of good . -jr 
 
 The tonfiieration of this (hould make regenerate perfons 
 to take fhatne to themfelves.Thit they who have the Commands of 
 god,Divine Principles,tht hilyfpirit, the glory cf Qod, the )frsl» 
 fare of others t an etemall inheritance &c, to carry thera on and en- 
 courage them,fh:>uld yet be no more forward and zealous in the 
 the rvaies cf God , then ungodly ones are in the Wales of 
 fin: Oitfhould humble us g eatiy that we are fo dull, cold, 
 and formall t thit we have no more zeale , fpirit t and life in 
 the pleafant , and holy Waies ofGofothtt we are no more forward 
 to bring forth fweete, who/feme and pleafant fruits to God, than 
 wicked men are to bring forth poy\onous, t and deadly frwts. 
 
 It is an intolerable (hame to fome profe (Tors efpecially, to fee 
 them fo likewarme.and una&ivein the waies of God jwben power 
 is in their handtoacl for Cod.and his peop!e,they move flow. 
 !y,and feebly in his caufe: wicked men arc (commonly) more 
 zealous and active intha fervice of Sathan and their lu/ls , then 
 Gods people are in the fervice of the living and true God, 
 
 This is a thing greatly to be bewailed by us . 
 
 The ninetieth Obfervation in Nature. 
 
 HpH/frf is great difference in the dimenftons ,or bigm (ft of fruit-trees: 
 ** fome are very high t and large treesy other t but low and fmalhfome 
 are huge,ftrong tree r 9 others but make and flender* fome g*oft>ing upon 
 poore barren grounds, they can never at tame that bigneffe, at others 
 that groft upon fir ongfer till grounds: yet the husbandman ordereth, 
 and prefervethall of them . 
 
 This is another Similitude of the fhte of At) flit -all fruii'trees, 
 and ftiadowes out unto us this Vropofition. That 
 
 Z The 
 
I 7 8. Theftirituall yfe of 
 
 The conditions of the people of God are much different 7 jet God 
 
 - r . careth for them all » 
 Vropofttten 
 
 (hadowed. The date of the children of God is very various, whether we 
 
 confidet them in 2^aturall % chill t morally and (pirituall refpects : 
 
 fome are young, fomeold; fome ofweake, fome of flrong con- 
 
 ftitutionsof bodysfome but ofweake and lownaturall parts and 
 
 abilities of mind, others of eminent gifts and endowments; fome 
 
 of poor and meane eftates, and live much upon contribution 
 
 others are rich.and great in the worldjfojme are low and weake 
 
 in gracej£^j?.r in Chiift, others are flrong men, fathers, &c.xzt 
 
 yet God careth and provideth for them ail, bis love is towards 
 
 all. Rich Abraham and poore hazurw are both beloved ofGod.-foroe 
 
 a re in great efleeme and reputation generally among the people 
 
 (as Cornelius) Alls \G.i2.A man of goodreport among all the 2V<*- 
 
 tionof the fewest others lie in contempt, and difhonour: fome 
 
 have great meafures of grace, asthe woman of Canaan, Afatth, 
 
 13.28.O woman great is thy faitkfo the Centurion, Luk^ j*9,I have 
 
 not found fo great faith ^ no not in l\rael\ Others have but a weake 
 
 fo\th t Matth.8.l6.0 ye of lit tie faith ;So Lsrtatth. 1 6. 8. ye of little 
 
 SoRow.h.i. faith', in fome grace is but Migraine of „Mvftard*feede An (ome 
 
 others it isgrowen%£ and flrong ; Stej-h.n was a man full vf 
 
 Uith,Ac~is 6.5. 
 
 So of Love and other graces: fome have much,otbers but littles 
 S/wo»,mentioned £#^.7,40. hid but a little love to our Saviour- 
 butMary loved much: fo of knowledge zeale,&e. 
 
 We fee the flate of Gods people is very different in all refpecls 
 yet the care of God isfor all: lVet^.j* Caft all your care upon 
 him y for he careth for you t And againe; (peaking of his Vine* 
 yard the (^hurch, Bfay 27.3. 1 the Lord dokeepeiij frill water 
 it every moment, left any hurt it$ will ksepe it night and day , 
 
 Now 'God careth for one as well as the anotber>beciufe all coft 
 a like price, f the pretiouj blood of Ckrifl, and all are (^Mem- 
 ber* of his fonne'.i man cares for, and cherifheth all his Members, 
 fo Chrift. 
 i Vfe\ This is a ground of great Confolation to al! the people of 
 God.though meane in the world, though fick in body, of Jow e- 
 Heeme,poorein eflate,though weake inGifcs andgraces^yet be 
 
 not 
 
a Garden of Fruit-trees] 1 j£ 
 
 notdifcouraged at all thefe.* for being within the wall, or pale 
 of the Church t ihe orchard.or Vineyard of God, he preferveth them; 
 the fame jkilfnll and carefull hand that pruneth, watereth>and 
 ordereth the fhongeft, and greateft trees, does the fame (really) 
 to the leaft : Yea his care is efpecially to his week? plants, becaufe 
 they are mod liable to hurt.and danger. 
 
 Secondly.* fuch as diffir from their brethren in being more & wfu 
 minent in N at urall,morall or fpirituall endowments, if they have 
 many Talents ,\et fuch ofcen confider who made them to differ, 
 and beware of defpifiog, or neglecling the lower Saints; and bears 
 •with the infirmities of the weah» Rom. 15*1* and be ready to diftri- 
 bute,willing to communicate in temporals 9 aad fpirituals 9 as good 
 Rewards of the manifold gifts, an d graces ofGod,i?et. 4. 10. and 
 be therein like unto their heavenly Father,in caring for the low-\ 
 p/?,and msaneft . 
 
 The ninetie firft Obfervation in Nature . 
 
 rVHe husbandman frequently Walks among his fruit-trees , and 
 viewes, and confider s them\he takes notice how it is with particulars** 
 ) J any of them be weake-^and difeafediand thrive not as others Joe con* 
 f t de r sthe caufe,andfets kimfelfe to the cure: As it is with them he ap* 
 plj/et himfelje accordingly towards them . 
 
 This fhadowes out unto us: That 
 
 True and fait hfull LMinifters of the Qofpell do diligently looke 
 into the ft ate of their people 9 and dealewith them accordingly, 'Proportion 
 
 Miniflers of the gofpell are im ployed by God about his husbany A °^ i{ *\ 
 <tyjwhich is his Church and people, i£W. 3. p.j^^e Gods husban* 
 dry: And the tApofile faies we are laborers together with (jod 
 in this worke . 
 
 Now carefull husbandmen are dill looking into the fiate of 
 their work?) how it is in this, and that, and the other particular, 
 that fo they may diligently apply themfelvesj fo doc faithfull 
 Miniflers towards their people . 
 
 They are alfo Shepheards , and it is the duty of Shepheards to 
 
 to watch over their flocks, and to confider, and diligently to. 
 
 Z 2 obferve 
 
i2o The fpirituall ttfe of 
 
 obferve how it is with particular fheepe , and to apply themfefves 
 accordingly;!© do true and faithful! Minifters; according to that 
 inProz/, 27. 25* Be diligent to know the ft ate of thy floe kes, and 
 /ooke Weil to thy heards: God gives a very ftrid charge to Mini- 
 fters of the trofpell, Alls 20.28. Takjheede unto your fe/ves s and 
 to all the flockjver the Which the holy Ghoft hath made you Over- 
 fetrs, &c% 
 
 To take hied to the flocks 3 nd to O vcrfee tVjmplyes a fpeciall care 
 to lookeinto,and to examine, and confider [Deflate, and condi* 
 tion of particulars, as well as to have an eye over them in the 
 generail; So the Apoftle ufeth the fame word thtks in one 
 Chapter, Heb.i^.j.tbem that have the Over fight of you: and vetf. 
 17. them that have tht Over fight of yow. and againe verf, 24. tbtm 
 that have the. Over fight of jon ', Though another translation 
 hath xiithem that Iwve the rule over yo»\ but his feemes to carry in 
 it that Lordly po^er and dominion which Chrift will not allow any 
 of his Minifters over his people; he hath not fet them as Lords 
 ever Godsher'nage^iVet 5.3. But Overfeers, and Examples to the 
 pekf, which is affo agreeable to the words of the holy Choft in 
 Acts 20.28. the hsly ghoft hath made them Overfeers: which carr.es 
 in it more of care f znd labour ,than of authority and rule j according 
 to that of the yfy*/?/f, 2£V. 4.5. Our felves your (ervants for ]efns 
 fake. 
 
 This is alfo further confirmed by the fame word which the 
 ■Apoftle Peter ufeth,iP^.$2. Feeds thefl.cke of Godwhichis among 
 you.ytakirg ihi Over fight thereof. 
 
 Nowcertainely thiswordfo often ufed carries more in fr, than 
 only toV>each the Gofpelli And this is al(o more confirmed by the 
 Example of the hpofth Paul* fully fet forth in many places, who 
 did not only/wd^and write to the Churches, botalfo did often 
 €nquire,and fend to know their ftate, yes s he went himfelfe to par- 
 ticular Churches, a< .6 families,and Terfons^o whom he had prea- 
 ched to/f^and confiderpnd know how it was with rhem , 1 "Xhif. 
 3. 5. 1 could no longer ]orbeare, I fent to k»cVc your faith, &c. 
 And when he heard they flood faft in the faith, it wa? matter of 
 great confolation to him,and of many thankfgivings unto God on 
 their behalfe, ver(. 9, and £0/4.8, he lent Tjchictts to k»oVp their 
 fiate , 
 
 So 
 
. a Gay dm ofFruit-tneu iS i 
 
 So alfo he feit Timothy for the famepurpofe, Vbll.i', ip.That 1 
 alfo may be of good comfort when I tyoty your flate . He calls upon 
 Barnabai to goc with him to vifit poore foules, Atls 15. 36. Let 
 tu go againe, and vi fit our brethren in every Cut} Vehsre we have 
 preached the Word of the Lord, and fee hew they doe . 
 
 YeaP*«/earneftiy prayed for opportunities to performe this 
 dury.be longed co /<?f t and conferre with the Saints to whom he had 
 preachedjRo»M. 9,10,1 1. & Row.15. 23,24 without ceafirg I m&ke 
 mention alwaies in my T rayers ^making requtft to come unto jou, for I 
 lon0olfeeycu,&c. 
 
 Now the Reafons why Minifters of the Gofpell ought not 
 only X.0 preach theGofpell but alfo to con fider t andenqaire into the g ee ^^ ax ^ erJ 
 fpirituallflates and conditions of their Teople : Fir ft, exhortations 
 
 That (o they may be intruded more perfectly in the deepe unto this duty; 
 Myfteriesofthekingdome of God; they may heieby come to he^ or f^prue 
 acquainted with the various methods, waies.and workings of the *W*»^M *o* 
 fpirit of God in the hearts of his peopie s & the wii;s,&depthes FntTzioto 
 of Sathanjwith the nature of grace, and $ corrupcion. Aiimflers fame puipolc 
 P»ould{ludymen,atthey (ludy books although they may come toknow 
 thegenerallNature of thefethings from theJ'c^/'^rf/^^^j&theic 
 tftvne particular experiences >yzt unlefle they take in this al\o t ta 
 cenverfe frequently with others, andlooke into their flat es they can , 
 never be 10 able to deale with ioules as they fbould be. 
 
 Many content themfelves with fome few particular Cafes, and 
 Inftances mentioned in fcripture concerning job, David, Hcman 
 and fome others, and fcarce looke funher, meafaring all others 
 mod commonly by thefe, as not being (indeed) acquainted with 
 the various, and different dealings of God with his people . 
 
 Secondly: By looking into the pa*tic id tr ft ate of their people, 
 they may fpeake more futably , and feafonably to them; when 
 they know their particular £#/?', and corruptions jbtir Temptations, 
 Cafer, doubts ^c. their degrees oftyowltdg, and o'.her graces, they 
 may then apply the word more properly and tjf.ttuallj, than other* 
 wife they can upon all oecafions: As ?hjfiti»vs when they have 
 enquired into,andknow tbeftate of their Patients, msy sdminL 
 fter Vhyficke more effe&ually than othervvife they can. So Though 
 JMniflers may fpeake many good things, generall truthes accor a 
 ding to the Scripture^ yet they may be , and are miny times 
 
 z 3 vei *y 
 
iti The ffirltudl u[e of 
 
 very much befides the particular cafes and frefent concernments of 
 
 many, ormoftof their hearers, as not knowing their particular 
 
 fiates . 
 
 i Ufe* By what hath beene faid it is manifeft, that fome LMinifterso? 
 
 a See Obferv.%4. the Gcfpel!(tven good men)do but the one a kalfe, or but a part of 
 
 their Work_ ; They preach the Gofpt 1 1 ,but they looke not, they enquire 
 
 not into the (late of their people. To preach the word is not to per# 
 
 forme the Office of an Overfeer^ nor to follow the Example of the 
 
 estfpojlh P^/jfliewed in alhhofe places afore mentioned, who laid 
 
 out himtelfe with diligence to know the (rate of the people in 
 
 every phce where he had preached. But many thinke it fufficienc 
 
 to be diligent in their ftudies .compofing of Sermons to preach 
 
 in publ.que, laying out their time and fhcngth that way, but 
 
 gveatly neglecting this other duty, of enquiring^ and looking into the 
 
 the particular fiate of ' foules % and applying thtmfelves thereunto accor^ 
 
 dingly. 
 
 1 fpeake it upon knowledge andexperience,with griefe of heart 
 and indignation againft.thegrofle neglects of fome in this matter: 
 who have beene fo farrc from enquiring after the ftate of others,as 
 that when poore foules have came to them to acquaint them with 
 their doubt /& feares^ni troubles of fpir it ,they have neglected them, 
 and given them a very flight anfwere> and fent them away much 
 morebardned than before, which opportunities they (hould moft 
 gladly haveimbracedsaod have been very tender of fuch Wounded, 
 fick^t and weary foules ,211 i have come and fent often to them, and 
 taken care of them as a Nurfe cheriiheth her Children. 
 iVh. ^et us blefle G°& f / notwitbftanding fomany fee\e their owne 
 
 things t and neglett the things of Jefw Chr'tfiy Phil.2.21) that yet we 
 have fomeP<*a/V& Timothies among us, who lay out themfelves 
 diligently to look* into the particular ftate of foules ^and naturally take 
 ca*e for their welfare , 
 
 Triefe are W*,and sktlfull Phyfitiansoi foules % and know how 
 to apply futable and feafonahle things to them; whereas thofe thac 
 neglect this duty, are but as Emperique Thyfitianst who have but 
 only fome few general 'I notions , which they apply in all Ca- 
 fes . 
 
 Let fuch therefore who are diligent in this Works* be encouraged 
 togoonjas/^W^/Zand Wife ftewards, to give everyone his/wj 
 
 tiw 
 
d Garden of Fruit-trees* 183 
 
 tion in due fea fan, and they (hill (in due time) receive a great R.e-t 
 wardjZ,#.i2.44.even when ihtchsifeShepheard (hall appearothey 
 (hall receive a CroWn ofglorj that fadeth not aWny, 1 P^.514, 
 
 The ninetie fecond Obfervation in Nature. 
 
 r T He husbandman values % and approves mo ft of thofe Trees s and fruits 
 that are moft for hit purpose ; mo ft proper for his dejigne, and 
 end that he hath in his eye; admit his great defigne be to make Vcine of 
 the fruits , Cyder J?erry&c. then he lifes thofe beftjhat are fitteft for 
 fhatufe: Or if his defigne be to tranfpon them into other parts for 
 falejhen he approves mofl of good, hard, lafting fruits &c . He had 
 rather loofe divers trees of other kinds%xhan one of thofe which beare fruits 
 futable to his great end> and dejigne . 
 
 This (hadowes out onto us ; That 'Proportion 
 
 Cjoddif cover eth a [peciallcare of t and love unto thofe oj 'his people \ Qj^lJi. j 
 Vfhofe judgments and rvaies concurre with his great defignes in their 
 generation. 
 
 In every generation God is carrying on fome particular and 
 fpeciall deftgne oro:her;ind fome of his people help on the worke 
 more thanothers,fome rather hinder it: they preach, and praj) and 
 aU againft it ( through ignorance of it, being darkned with fome 
 lufts orworlaly imerefts) Now, though God cannot forfake 
 any of his people, though they oppofe bim.yet they (hill loofe by 
 itjthey (hall have leife of God thin others, whofe judgments and 
 waies concurre with God in his defignes. 
 
 Such of the people of God as are sdive for.and with God in hU 
 defignes,they (hall have fpeciall difiinguifhing care^and love (hewed 
 towards thercbwhicb others who neglecl the worke of God, or 
 oppofe it,(hall not find. Nay (uch are in danger, not only of lofTe, 
 butalfoof fome vifibleteftimoniesof Gods difpleafure towards 
 them, Such who fall in with Gods fpecisli defigxe in iheir genera- 
 tion (hall find fpeciall grace & kindnefle from God; luch diiti'ngui- 
 fhng love 'DrtM/V/ found when he prayed, and labored fo earnestly 
 for the reftoring,and enlargement of the Churcb,then in (Captivity 
 Dan. 9. which was Gods great defigne then in that generation, h 
 
 found 
 
1 8 3 The fpritmll ufe of 
 
 found }hj!l^iwlfdnme % andunderftanding^vthkh others had not? 
 the cart and love of God was eminently difcovered cowards him, 
 even to a miracle in preferving him in the Lyons den, and an 
 Angtll was fent as,a meffenger from God>to ceil him he was a mm 
 greatly hi ved £hxp I o. 1 1 . 
 
 VVhic fpeehllcare, and love did God m?nife (I towards Males', 
 who was eminently inftromenrall for God fin his generation) 
 in gods dsftgne of bringing Ifrael out of £gipt t and carrying them to 
 (fanaan'jJMofes had peculiar honour above others of Gods people, 
 y £3, above other Prophets in his time, AVw^. 12.6,7* 8. If there 
 be a Prophet among ycu^ \ the Lord veil I maty my Jelfe kpotyxe unto 
 him in a vifion>and "toill (peake unto him in a dreame . My fervant 
 Jldcfet is not fo^hc ii faitbfull in all my hou[e y with him Will / (ptake 
 mouth to mouth, even apparently, and not in darkefpeeches, and the 
 Similitude of the Lord fbdl he behold. Caleb, and fojhua, wha 
 followed ;he Lord clofefy , and confhntly in his defigne (which 
 was the wcrkeof their generation.offetting Ifrael in the promt- 
 fed Land j whac difiingnijbing refptcT, honour and love had they a* 
 bove others? 
 
 The Lord hirofelfe gave a teftimony ofthem,thatr^j wholly 
 followed him ,Numb. 32,1 2. they poiTeflcd thacgood land, when 
 others (who would not believe nor acl for god in the worke of 
 that generation) were cut off. 
 
 Other proofes and inftances might be brought. 
 
 Now the reafons hereof* God gives out diftinguipring mercy 
 to his people thit joyne with him in his great worke becaufe 
 thereby they meft pleafe him and honour him, and give the greatefi 
 evidence of rheir love to him that can be: God will reward the 
 obedience of his peop'e in the baft* and loWefi duties, they (hall 
 not kjndle a fire on hi* altar in vaine, 1 nor give a Cup of cold water, 
 nor do the lead kindnefTe to any of his people in vaine:but much 
 more when they acl with zeale fot God in the highefi, greatefi dm 
 ties., he (hat herein foweth plentifully Chis labours and diligence) 
 fhrill reape plentifully , 2 (for. 9.6. 
 
 Seeing this is fo then let us labour to find out, and underftand 
 
 lV}e. jfcg & t { % g ms of God in our generation t thatfo we may joine with him, 
 
 and helpe to carry on ihe Lords wor^e: thereby great advantages 
 
 will ante un:o us- when through ignorance , or neglect thereof, 
 
 or 
 
a Garden of Fruit-trees] iS$ 
 
 or oppofirion thereto, we may furTer loffe of what elfe we mighc 
 have.tn the enjoyment of God; or be othsrwlfe corre&ed by 
 b.m . Of this fee 
 
 Now therefore: what are the Defignssof God in this our gent' Mr Hilling* 
 ration, for undemanding whereof we muft compare prophtJks,hafi: Genera* 
 andprmifes , with the vifible difpenfations of providence in the age ticn rvorke>p. 
 we live in, and oblecve how the actings of God in the world fute 45>4^« 
 or anfwere to what he hath foretold,or promifed fhouid come to 
 paiTe;&2l!b irqaire&obferve what the rnoji .humble, holy fslfedenying 
 Saints have upon their Spirifs,how they ftind affecledj (for God 
 reveales hi£{ecretstothe^«^/f,nottb the prw^t bough his own 
 people) And alfo by frequent t and much converftng With God 
 tn Walking vol' h him, this is bed knowne: fuch as have clofe Com- 
 munion and fellowfhip wi.h the father, and with the fonne, in the 
 fpirit,(hill certainly know much more of his mind y of bis waies and 
 flf/jg«e/,than others of his people who (truough forne unmorufud 
 cortupttonsjwalke at a dtfbnce from him. 
 
 But to touch breifly what we have grounds to believe is Gods 
 great dsfigne which he is now carrying on (more efpecially in this 
 generation) ic isj the enlargment of the Kingdome of his fonne Jefu* 
 (fhrijl;the fitting upChriflas King over the Nations mere glorioujlj 
 than ever beretofonWccordingto many promifes, £fay.2. n. The 
 Lord alone /ball be exalted in that day, and Chap. 24.23. Zach, 1 4 9. 
 The Lord fhall be King over all the Eartb 9 &c* 
 
 Now in order hereunto many other prophefies, and promifes 
 muft befulfilledjas rhofe concerning the propagation eft he Gofpell, 
 ant a great incremfe of the Qentile Saints {together with the camming 
 inofthe]e^es)Efaj6o 3,4, 5 ; &c* The abundance of the Nations 
 fhallbe converted unto thee, the forces of the Gentiles fhallcome unto 
 thee , and many other places: Alfo union, andonenejfe of fpirit 2 » 
 among the people of God, to ferve him with one content, Zeph. s 
 
 3 .9 pulling doVpne of high and lofty things, £(ay 2.1 1 »l 2. &c. The 3* 
 haughtineffe of men (hall be boVved dotyne^and the Lord alone fh&ll bee \ t 
 alted in that day. Eftabhjhment of ]uflice % Efaj <5o. 1 8. / will mak? 4* 
 
 thine Ojjicers peace, and thine Exailours righteomfneffe. J. Pouring 
 out of greater measures of the fpirit, Joel 2. 28. whereby will be 
 more, and clearer difcoveries of Gojptll truths, Efay 30. 26. The 
 light of the Moone fhM be as the light of the funne t and the light 
 of the fmne jeven-fvld. A a So 
 
1 8 6 Theftirhtidl afe of 
 
 So that the exaltation of (fhrift^and the enlargment of hU Church 
 and Kingdoms Me'ing Gods great defigne in this age , ic concernes 
 every one of his people to labour together with God in this 
 glorious worke: fuch as are ftncenly, and ^ealoufly a&ive herein, 
 fluli find fpec-ia/l diftinguifbing Uve from God . 
 
 Now every ens of Gods people will be ready to fhinke,and fay,' 
 they are for this defigne, it is their daily prayer that the Kingdoms 
 cfChrijl may be increafeds bat notwithstanding, cercaine it is, 
 that, many even of Gods ownepsople afford God but little, or no 
 helps herein,but rather hinder, and oppofe the woike (really, 
 and indeed) through the darkneffe of their Judgments about it; 
 (though in fomerefpecls they thinke they advance itj for fuch as 
 give no encouragement to per fans and things, voaies^ andmeanes, 
 little.and low in their eyes,which yet God hath chofen,whereby 
 Co carry onhu defigxes t hut rather defpife them,dii}aiT,snd fpeske 
 sgainfl them , fuch may be faid to hinder the work? (for br thac 
 oppofeth the meanes^oppokih alfo the End) And this indeede is 
 done through the prevailing offelfelove, and worldly in ten ft s 
 which dimme their fight, fuch have not yet learned that greac 
 Gofpel! lefTon of denying all for thrift, they have but a fmall mea- 
 fureofthe fpirit that Mofes John Biptift, and V&ul had.who could 
 Numb. it. 2.9. rx content to lay downe their owne efteeme, zxxdinterefts at the 
 Johnj.30. feete ofChrift, and be willing to decreafe fo that Chrifl: mighc 
 Phil.1.16.17. increafe, by any \\>aies or meanes that he fhail chufe, perfons and 
 1 • things,which are neglededjanddefpifed, not only by carnall men, 
 
 but alfo by ihzcarnall part effpirunatt men. But fuch fhsli have 
 fewer manifeftanons of the love of God than others of his people 
 that concurre withhinv.they (hill not fee, nor knoty fo much tf the 
 mind of God^nor find their hearts fo refrefljed y and enlarged in commu- 
 nion with Godjnor find fo much efteeme t and I&vs from his people as 
 thofe that clofe With God in hit great defigms . 
 
 The 
 
a Garden of Fruit-trees] 187 
 
 The ninetie third Obfervation in Nature. 
 
 7 Hen the husbandman intends to plant a very large Orchard, 
 
 / out of 'rough unmanured grounds (like a foiidernejfi) full 
 
 ef bufhts and mid trees where never wai any before: when he refolves t 
 
 and fets on fuch a huge and vafl Plantations fuch a great workeis 
 
 notpnfently tffetledbut by length of time; perhaps he may be many 
 
 jeares about it . 
 
 This fhadowes out onto us this Vroptftion * That 
 Qod ii a long time in calling the (jennies, and implanting them into Proportion 
 Chrifi-, according to his purpofe and promt fes. . fhadowed . 
 
 All the people of the world are either Jewes or Gentiles} under 
 thefetwoallNarions are comprehended, As we fee Rom. 3, 9,19. 
 We have proved bothfetyeSi&Genttles,that they are all tinder fin^v.ig. 
 That all the World may become guilty before (jod . 
 
 Formerly the fewes only were the people of God, the Gentiles 
 were (hangers to God, and without God in the world, wholly 
 overfpread with Idolatrie, as we fee Rom. 1. But in due time 
 this Wilderneffe was made the Garden of the Lord. 
 
 Cod the g eat husbandmsn of his Orchard the Church , begin 
 to plant the vaft,wail grounds.the wilderneffe of the Idolatrous 2{a» 
 tions t the Gentile*} l^ovefixteene hundred yeares agoe, and is ftill 
 about it, and will at length finilh it 4 and performe all his purpofe, 
 and pleafures towards them . 
 
 The time when he began this great plantation was in our Saviours 
 dates, who gave light to the Gentiles that fate in darknefTe; buC 
 efpecialiy after his Rtfurrettion^nd *A[cenf\onJ\t fet his husband* 
 men ('the isfptftles and Difciples) on worke, Matth. 28.19. Qoe 
 teach all Nations, and Mark* 1 3 • I o* the Gofpell mujl be publifbed m 
 mon% all T^ations, 
 
 The Lord told Ananias ,th?t Paul was a chofen feffell unto him to 
 bean his name before theGentiles. Aft. 9. 1 5. AndPaul himfelfe after* 
 wards gloried in this, in that he was imployed about this Veorke 
 of being inftrumentallin this great plantation (which now God 
 was about,haying newly begun it) of implanting ot ingrafting the 
 
 A ai Gentiles 
 
1 8 8 Tkfpirttuall vfe of 
 
 Gentiles into Chrift^ht true Fine^nd Olive tree'. I« a* much as 1 am 
 the Affile of the Gentiles J magnifis mine office, Rem. 1 1. 13. He 
 rejoyced greatly to forefee by faith, fucb vfatp and vaft 0.- 
 chard (confiding of many millions of goodly fruit-trees that were 
 to be planted in it)which would bring forth abundance of good 
 fruitsto the husbandman) fo did 'Teter alfo(and many with him) 
 rejoyce at it 5 Atts 10, 45. They were aftonifa.d, becaufe that 
 on the Gentiles alfo was poured oat the gift of the Holy Ghoft. and 
 Acls 1 1 . 1 %.Thty glorifitdG od faying,then hath God alfo to theQentikt 
 granted repentance unto life • 
 
 They faw this wonderful! great plantation begun, and cut 
 out of the $ ] ajl \and barren ffilderntjfs of the Gentiles, and they re- 
 joyced in it,and helped to carry it on .• Paul planted a Urge peece 
 of grounded God watered it, and gave the increafet for he tells 
 us, Rom.\*>. 1 9. front ^ertifalem round about unto Ulyricum he fully 
 preached the Gofp-ellof £hri(l;hQ (through the power of the Word and 
 fpirit)m$dQWild trees ^barren, unfruit- full trees, to be engrafted, 
 fruit full trees : The Gojpell (containing the unfearchable riches 
 ofChrift) which he preached among the Cjentiles, became an in- 
 grafted word in their heaits,and fprang and grew up, and brought 
 forth fruit as he tels us Col.i 6.Jhe Gofpell Vfhichx cone unto you, 
 <u it u in all the world. and bringeth forth fruits ,&. fit doth alfo in pit 
 fince the day ye heard of it . 
 
 Nowhere were great and glorious beginnings,and proceedings 
 for many yeares togaher,in t § Apofiles and Primitive times, buc 
 afterwards the, worke went on more -(lowly , wnen Antichrifi 
 was revealed he that did let, being taken out of the way (that is 
 the Smperonr who had his feare in Rome y being removed to Ger* 
 many ) when the Tope^nd the whole Hierachy of Rome had gotten 
 bead andftreng h, and credit in the world, then they greatly 
 hindred the worke, though it hath beene carried on ever fince, 
 yet much more Jlowlj than at the beginning.- After a time there 
 arofe many, and great enemies againft the Church, and every 
 where perfecuted the Saints; The Beafi out of the bottomleffe Pit, 
 the red ^Dragon, the Beafi with [even heads and ten homes . The 
 Beafi with two homes like the Lamb', the whore of Baby Ion y the 
 Beafi with the falfe Prophet, Ikc.thefe enemies of the Church lain- 
 dred(asmuchas in them lay)the propagation of the Gofpell. As 
 
 formerly 
 
a Garden of Fruit-trees* 1 S$ 
 
 formeily enemies hindred tre building of the ^Materia!! Temple, 
 fo have they ever fince hindred the building of the (pir it uall 
 TtMple: or (according to the Similitude) the great Plantation of 
 the husbandman. It is a very great Orchard, there is much wo-,^ to 
 be done in if, and about it, and man], and powerful! enemitjzrs 
 ag3inft it, therefore the husbandman is long about *>:Ic is fo large, 
 that it reachethto the ends of the earth', over evtry kindred , <?W 
 Tongue, and?eop!e, and T^ation, Rev.%9. And as it is large, fo 
 there is much worke, and bat /*>//* //*//>• Match. 937. The harvifl 
 truly it great ,and the Laborers but few. 
 
 There is herein a ground of exceeding great gladneffe and rejoys j xjW. 
 cing, feeing that Godfthe great and skilfull husbandman) hath 
 undertaken this worke,of Planting fo large an Orchard^ garden 
 for himfelfe,over<*// Nations^ though there have beene but flow 
 proceedings in the worke,for a long time, yet the proceedings have 
 beene fure.-Godi&hispeople have been at vvorke ever fince, they be- 
 gan it unto this day; and we have Prophejies ,dr>?remifes ihu it (hall 
 go on unto perfeclion,yea, and more fpeedily too t in the fe Utter dates, 
 thanin formertimes, E(ay 60.3,4, S«& c - Lift up thine eyes round 
 about and fee, all they gather themfe Ives together, they come to thee, 
 the abundance of the fea (or T^ations) /hall is converted unto thee, 
 the forces of the gentiles flail come to thee. They (hall flie as doves 
 to their Vvindowes verf.%. 
 
 Yea here is aground of reccing indeede.when we confider the 
 exceeding largneffe of this /chard, which (hall take in , not only 
 the Veildernc (fe of the Cjentiles , but alfo, his old, decayed forfa^en Or- 
 chard, the Nation of the ]twes, (he husbandman will joyne them 
 to it>and Graffe them(thefe decayed, broken, wichered Branches) 
 in againe.and their cornming in (hall be as life from the dead, Rom. 
 11.15. it fhall be a mighty advantage to the whole Church in ail 
 parts: here \N\\[beiwonde:(u\U beautiful!, large Orchard, let us 
 caft our eyes above, as well as below, and looke upont{i3t part 
 now already tranfplanted into heaven , as well as that upon Earth* 
 and withall confider it with its increafe, th&t it is daily growing lar m 
 ger and larger, Zach. 2.1 J. Many Nations Pull be joy ned to th* 
 Lord in that ^,what day / even When the Lord [hall inherit Judah, 
 his portion, itt the holy Land, and fh a!! chafe Jerufalem againtr. Here 
 is a Trophefy of the cornming in both of the JeVeesand GentUet 
 
 about 
 
1 go The ffmtmll ufe of 
 
 bout One time] which wiii greatly inlarge the Church, andisa* 
 
 ground of great rejoycing to all the people of Cod . 
 
 2 TJfe. Seeing God is a long time in calling of the (jennies ,this fhould 
 
 ftir re up the people of God in this Tfjtion, and other Nations 
 
 (who are cal!ed)unto continuaU praifesunto him t for that he hath 
 
 done the worke already for us: many other parts of the world 
 
 are jet in darkntjfe t they are yet as the -wilder mffeja ild trees , and un» 
 
 manured.not yet wifhinjhe compafle of lhi$ plea fant Orchard, we 
 
 might have beene in their cafe . 
 
 %V(e- Thirdly : Seeing the Veorke u great ,and God hath beene a long 
 
 time about it,and is yet going on, let ail that can , helpe forward 
 
 the work? y God is able to do ail works which he wills by his 
 
 owne immediate hand,but he is pleafed toufe Inftruments therein: 
 
 The great husbandman, bath [ttbhttsbmdmcn, underVverkmen in his 
 
 great Plantation^ his people ate required to put to their hand foe 
 
 the enlargement of the kingdoms of Chrifl 9 hy their ?rayers 3 exhortati 
 
 onsseprcffesjnftrutlianSiadmoMtiQns, Examples ^c. according to the 
 
 But this ts no gi^s.&Talents they have received. Efpecially now in this generation 
 
 liberty for any feeing God by his providentiall difpenfations cals aloud for it, ha- 
 
 peopk.under ving givers his people (*) freedome and liberty in all places,and great 
 
 the pretence of encouragements in the worke of the Lord , which in former ages 
 
 new revelations fa haye fio£ had; n u the dut noc onl of p - a „ d of c cers 
 
 from God, and -. 3 • , • • . . c n i i> \ i V •" 
 
 alight within °* particular congregations, but of all believers to labour to en* 
 
 to go about large the kinghome cfiejttt £V*/?,and to be faithful!, diligent labo- 
 
 teaching things rers in the Lords Vineyard, \hii is the Lords great deftgne, and the 
 
 contrary to his ^rj, worke of this generation, in a particular refpeel , whofo 
 
 Udwlu>*lTxo hir> ^ rs ' or m £ hBs # ( even of Gods owne People) fhall 
 condemne all faffec for it ; who fo faithfully acls in it, (hall mee;e with 
 churches ywd fpeciail manifeftations of the Love of God towards 
 
 Congregations , them . 
 
 perfons&things, 
 
 though never 
 
 fo holy.tbat are 
 
 not of theirway, 
 
 and caft into The 
 
 their mould. 
 
a Gar dm of Fruit-trees* igi 
 
 The ninetie fourth Obfervation in Nature. 
 
 'Y'He husbandman does not much Jland upon the outward forme ofkis 
 Orchards, and gardens s to have thsm all ju ft of one fa/hon 9 and 
 fbapejither round, or long, orfquare, or otherwifel He having divers 
 Orchards ,and gardens , they are feme of one forme ', and fome of 'another, 
 at (ome are larger than other s^ fofome are of one cut, or fhape \and fome 
 ef another, he accompts it not neceffarj that they be all ZJmforme 5 but 
 fo the inward forme be good , fo the trees have good Matures , and 
 properties , bringing forth goad fruits t thats it he values, its all in 
 all. 
 
 This fhadowes out unto us this Vropofttiom That 
 Externall Uniformity in the Churches cf£hrift 3 is of fmall accompt Proportion 
 with him) in refpett of Unity and fpirituall worfhip . fhadowed. 
 
 Severall congregations, or Churches of Chrift (having the 
 fpirie of Chrift faith Jove \unity of dotlrine \and ordinances) may have 
 divers formes >and waies of outward admini ft rations ,and every Church 
 is co beleft to its owne liberty therein,and not to be injoyned fuch 
 or fuch t 'ormes fJMethods \and waies of proceedings in the worfhip.of 
 God, or in the difcipline andgoverment of the particular Chur* 
 ches. 
 
 For now in the time oftbeitofr Teftament,the worlhip of God 
 confiftechnot in £xtemals(neithei: are they commanded jas here- 
 tofore under the old adminiftrations of the law: But our Saviour 
 lels usJo&« 4.23 . The houre commeth and now is,when the true wort 
 Jbipers f fhallwor/hip the father in fpirit, and in truth. Many in the A- 
 peftles time had vaine, and reedieffedifputations, about mm* and 
 drin^ and obfervation ofdms, and fuch like, Rom. 14. 1, 3,5,10, 
 1 3 , &c. he tels them, verf. 17. The Kingdomeof God is not meaty 
 and drinke(h confifteth not in any externall thing) but it is rights- 
 cufnejfe^peacetand joy in the holy Cjhoft. 
 
 So that he leaves them to the ufing.or not ufing of fuch outward 
 things to their owne pleafures, being of an indsferent Nature'- verf* 
 5. let every man be fully perfwaded in his owne mind. 
 
 Now 
 
■ i p % The ff hit mil ufe of 
 
 h As foe one l$y Now fo it is, In refpect of Extemall Uniformity in Churches, 
 infeventobt t j lg WO rftj;p of God being 2(oW fpirituail,he leaves the extemall 
 dedicatee no p art 9 f tt unco thechoice and pieafureofhis people, to concutre 
 
 God in Wor- r ■ J ,,y l • j 
 
 {hip, that is in ew 5? ' J ? or External! forme; or to e/^, as they judg meetejana 
 the morall part convenient (every particular Church among tbemfelvesj in re* 
 of the fourth fpgft oftime,bpIact, manner and forme* and would no/ have h;s peo* 
 commandment pj gt0 f a |j 0atam j differ about tything \JMynt % Anife , Cummin, 
 sed from the " (P ett y and indifferent tbings)while they neglecl the Weighty, and 
 ieventh to the ^w matters of the Law^univj % ayid{pirituallWorjhip. 
 fitft day of the The ApofiU Taul fharply reproves the Corinthians for /landing 
 vreeke , by f much upon C-JWipn, Names, Titles, iCor, i. 1 2, One fates, I am of 
 f If U dhf Vastly another* I am o] Apollo, another of (feph as % another of Chrift , 
 ved by hi°Apc'- cve0 as man y m oar ^sies they tlick in the out fide y in Names* and 
 flies and Difci- formes, Luth(rans t Calvinifis,(omt are for the Spifcopall Way, fome 
 pies. for the FrejHterian,(ome for the Independent, fome for the Rebaptb 
 
 , _, r ^d^jXome reject all 
 
 b Theie people proceede further in cenfuring others then ever any didj t k e f e ( as the b J2#tf&* 
 forthey judge and condemne not only theFormes,& outward admini- i Q ^ t • >^~ ^ 
 ftrationsof allChurchcs:but alfo the whole fpirituail itate 3 & conditio of ^s)6iUy ttieir S IS tne 
 all perfons that are not of their way , and that fuddenly, and rafhiy, Way: So that may We 
 without knowledg of. the pecfons; contrary both to Scripture and Rea- not fay as the Apoflfe 
 fonscrying up a dimme Natural! light within, and neglecting the true { a jd j r Qr% g 4 g, Are 
 light of the word and fpirit of God/ who not trying the lpirits. whether . carnal!*? for* 
 
 theybeofGod or nQt.theyfiamanv t'hings )put darknefie for light and * , . . ^ 
 
 light for darkneffe. ' whereas there is among 
 
 you envying , and 
 finfe and dhifions t are ye not cama/l andWalke as men? in as much 
 as they differ about Names,and Formes, and negleel, and breake 
 Uve,«n& #«*y,they are herein, carnal I , though there may be truth 
 of grace in,and among them, yet in this thing they are Weake, they 
 are carnal!; this is knowing and approving of men, after xhep.fh 
 which ihzkpcftle PWallowes not,2CV.5.i6 
 
 I iuppofe it may be faid of this, or that Forme ofworfhip as Vaul 
 faies ofCircumci/ion, I Cor^AQ Circumcifion is nothing and uncir* 
 cumcifion is nothing, but keeping the (fommandments of God, and 
 Gil/ 6. '» 5. \n Chrift ]efw, neither circumciftonavaileth any things 
 mr uncir cumcifion, but a NeW creature, neither this or that forme^or 
 external! way ofworfhip availeth any thiog.bot/.*^, love,&fpiritu* 
 all War Jhip'.righteoufmjfe, peace, and joy in the holy Ghofix an intereft in 
 Chrift j regeneration^ or becoming a new Creature, unity and Uve 
 
 with, 
 
d Garden cf Fruit-trees] 6 ipj 
 
 with, and towards one another ^walking with God > in fellow fhip with 
 the father \and with his lonne ]tfm (fkri ft in fpirituall worfhip: thefe 
 are the things that God requires of his people- Not but that 
 Godcals for the fervice, and wotfhip of the outward man, and 
 (ome Extemall formes t and waies in his fpirituall worjhlp, as well as 
 intyard Veor/hip'.hui he ties not his people to one tvay.ot formers men 
 would do, and fhnd for.and make divifioos arnoung the Churches 
 about ir.which God no where requires in his word; and as for 
 Examples in the Apofiles times, they vary in every Churches occa* 
 ftons required .-trier's no one forme (only eftablifhecU 
 
 As for that Command, i Coy 14.40. Let all things he done decent' 
 ly axdin Order, the meaning is not that the worjhip of God in his 
 Ordinances >or praclifes in all Churches ihould beailinone man- 
 m r\Vi>ay,or for me >but that they fhould obferve Order among them<* 
 felvesjjn every particular Churchj or congregation : As in Cities 
 andTownes £e»-/>cn^,though their (fnftcrnes dtfftr one from ano- 
 ther,yet there is Order in> and among them/elves , in each parti- 
 cular place. 
 
 The Apofile tels m,Atls 10.34,35. That in every Nation, he 
 that fear eth (fad t and tyorketb righteoufneffe, it accepted with him t 
 Now in many ^or fever all Nations, there are many and Overall Waiss 
 and forme sjn and about the wotfhip ofGod> in the adminiftra* 
 tions of ihzOrdinances ofChr$ft y 8tyti all are accepted of(7od,when 
 the wotfhip is in Ipirit.and in truth. 
 
 Bodily exercifeprofiteth little'. iTim t 4.8. any thing whatfoever; 
 wherein the body is exercifed is ef little, or fmall accompr, in 
 refpecl of fpirituall worfiipi it is the acling of the fpirit, Joule 
 exercife, that God looks after and ftands upon: be values but 
 little bodily exercife } *ny thing whatfoever that is externally in his 
 worfhip. 
 
 Now the reafon why God ftands not upon externals in his wor^ 
 fhjpfor the fame cuftomes 3 and orders among ail the Saints)is becaufe 
 he is a fpirit,m& fpirituall worfhip is futable unto him* let it be 
 clothed w th thin or that forme ,it is accepted if it be in finceritj and 
 truth: Secondly, becaufe Chrift hath fet his people free from the 
 yo^es of 'bondage y Gal .5. 1. Not only from Circumcifton, and legall 
 (Ceremonies and formes .butalfof rom all other Rules and precepts 
 of *»<?»,which his word hath not laid downe. 
 
 B b Ic 
 
j 94 The [firituall wfe of 
 
 It is true tndeedeu'M time of the Law for 2000 yeares together, 
 the Church was ond.ee/0rmr/, and &* prtfeript Rules for the exttr* 
 nail fart of worfbip, but when £hrift came he fet his people fw, 
 not only from //»(as before his cornmiog in the fiefh^but alfo from 
 all thofe Methods find Formes .Kites find Ceremonies , commanded 
 by Mofes from the mouth of God, Ephe.2* 1 5. //* abolifbed the 
 Law of Commandments ', contained in Ordinances^ that is, the old 
 external! admimfl rations about the rvorfhip if God, that fo all his 
 people.as well Gentiles(ncw J as Jtwes, might woifhipGod in [pint 
 and in truth ,but no Eroreinr£#,or that externall fame, andnoo* 
 ther: And accordingly the Church ofChnft hath beene at li* 
 berty in refpeel offormesjn the Apoftles, and primitive times, and 
 for many ages together afterwards,untill of latter times externall 
 ZJmformitievme&mMy prefled in the Churches, which Luther 
 and other Good men oppofed . 
 
 The Sffence of the Kingdoms of God is not any externall thing 
 but righteoufneffe ,pe£ce , and joy in the holy G ho ft faith Jove choline ffe t 
 walking with Godx in thefe things . 
 I Vlt. From what hath beene faid we may conclude • That to (land 
 for 'Uniformity, or oneneffe in the externall part of the ^or/hip of 
 Cod in the Ordinances, or Government of Churches, and for want 
 thereof to breake off unity, love , and Communion With the people 
 cfGod,it is of the flefi, and not of the fpirit : This hath beene, 
 and is the great fin and mifhke,even ofmsny of the people of 
 (?od,the ground of whole differences lies in fiith externall things, 
 circum/fances, and formes, as the word hath not determined, or 
 preferred "to be either fo,or fojthough men would be thought to 
 prove their opinions (in particular tbiogs) as to the forme of nor* 
 fljip and Church Government,^ the Scriptures . 
 
 The Cod ly of the S pi fccpall,dnd Presbyterian Judgment, the In* 
 dependent find Rrbapti&tdChurchesfind others differing from them, 
 what do they differ about f Not the Effentials of Religion, or 
 VporJhip,but meerely in Ceremonies, formes , and Externall things^ 
 which are not ciearely held forth neither in the ^Dollrine of the 
 Qofpe!l,nor. in any conilant pmclife of the Saints ♦ For we cannoc 
 find in all the Alls of the Apojl lessor primitive fhriflians) any con« 
 (tant Methods and Formes in ths worfhip ofGo^ov in Goverment 
 °f Churches, .but they varied in the formes^nd externall Atls % u occa- 
 sion was offered . Vaul 
 
a Garden of Fruit-trees, jpj 
 
 PW preached fometimes on the feWes Sabbath, fometimes on 
 the fir ft day ; yea (as occafion wasj every day, and fometimes in 
 the night-, fometimes he prayed and taught in the hm\e, fometimes 
 in a fhip , fometimes by a River ftde, fometimes in a Temple: To 
 the It wet he became as a Jew, to the Greeks as a Greeke, to the 
 ftrong as ftrong, to the wsake, as tyeakejhe became all things to all, 
 that he might winne \sme\ he flood not upon externall formes 
 inworfhip, but upon thzfubftance, and £ (fence of it, which is fpi* 
 rituall . 
 
 Our Saviour Chrift fometimes he prayed long(allmght)l6mel\mes 
 lie was breife, fometimes he flood, and life up his eyes to heaven, 
 fometimes being proftrate on the ground: fometimes he taught in the 
 Temple, fometimes in a private houfe, fometimes in a /hip , forae* 
 times on the fhore, fometimes fiandtng, fometimes fitting'. The dif* 
 ciples of John thtyfafted often, but thrifts Difciples tooke more 
 liberty in the u[e of the Creatures ;Q?r*/?adminiftred the Sacra- 
 ment of the [upper in the evening % Vaul at midnight Tome in the Mor* 
 mngtOthersat «oo»e;fomeChurches receive it fitting,othefS kneeling y 
 fome take the Eltmentsfrom the Minifters hand t others jfr about 
 the tableland take the bread and wine themfelves : fome partake of 
 this Ordinance every tyeeke , others every moneth, fome tWice 
 in a moneth yQihets tVvice in theyeare>ot as oft as they pleafe. 
 
 And as there is a liberty in the Churches to vary find no Unit 
 formity^inthefe Ordinances^ fo alfo theCuftomes have beene va* 
 rions m refped of Baptifme; fome Churches Baptize with dipping. 
 Others by fprinkling,(ome Churches Baptize Infants of believing 
 Varentsi otheis, only thofe perfons who can give an accempt of their 
 faith-^nd hence now vt\ie\h the great contr over fa, and contention 
 amongft brethren, who fall oat by the way, and break peace,love 9 
 and Communion one with another about the fhadowjhe fig»e, the 
 /<^*0?,though both have and hold the fubftance-Mmy Members 
 of Both Churches are Baptized Vcith the holy (jhoft and Vffith fire, 
 Ai\ohn i. 5. are baptized into one body bythefpirit, 1 Cor. 12. 13. yea, 
 and have beene baptized with water alfo, though there be not a 
 Uniformity in their praclife: perhaps the difference will prove 
 (when throughly underftood) but a circumftantiail difference and 
 doubtleile no fulHcienc ground to break e off Communion amongfl 
 the Members of Chrift. 
 
 B b 2 Surely 
 
1 9 6 The fprituall vfe of 
 
 Surely J e fits Chrift will not take it well at their hands, who 
 refufe Communion and fellow/hip with thofe with whom hehimfelfe 
 delights to have Communion , and who are afhamed to call them 
 brethren whomChtiR, himfelfe is not afhamed to Qd\\brethren>Htb? 
 2-1 1* All believers are brethren,not by a conformky{or Uniformity} 
 in any Ceremony or ex.ernall oblervation % but by faith in Chrifi. 
 
 AH have the priviledge to be she (onr.es and daughters cf Cjodveho 
 believe on his »<?wfJohn i. 12. all are the Children of C-ed by faith 
 in Chrifi fefw, fobn 3. 26. 
 
 Now therefore : for men to refufe, or neglecl Communion and 
 fellow/hip with their fellow Members, and brethrenfor want pf'L'- 
 niformitj'm a Ceremony jn the /Jg«f,ihough they have the [ubflance* 
 
 r- „ is it not camall.do E°£ fuch W^/^e ^ men f 
 
 2U[e. Let us maimaine unity, love, and fellow fhip with all the 6odly, 
 though they differ from us in Judgment otpraSlife in the way and, 
 manner of adminifirations in the worfhip of God.ot particular praBi* 
 fes in Government', for the ground of the Churches Unity is VLOiUni* 
 formhy in any 1 xtsrn all things ,but it is their having all but one head., 
 The Apoftle mod; earneflly befeecheth them to maintaine Unity 
 upon a fevenfold ground, but in them ail not a word of Unifort 
 mity t Ephef.4.4. There u one body » and one fpirit, even as ye are 
 called in one hope of your calling, one Lord, one faith s one bapti(me» 
 one God and father of allj&ho is above all % and through all % and in yen all'. 
 Herewefte,i.i^//^f/fVtfj J though multitudes of Mtmbers yet are 
 but one body. 2. That one body, hath but one fpirit, As one 
 Joule animates and lets on worke all the Members of 
 the Nattsrall body, fo does this one fpirit in the myfitcall 
 body. 3. There is alfo one hope* Ail believers have an 
 expectation of the enjoyment of God in glory for ever. 4, They 
 have all one Lor di are fellow fervsnts under one Lord hfw Chrifi, 
 5. So alfo have they but one faith,be\ie:vei$ in all ages of the wor!d 
 have but oaefaithjn the fame God and Saviour. 6« They? have 
 but one Baptifme^not baptifme cfihefigne, but of the fubfiance; all 
 believers are baptized with the baptifme of the fpirit % I ewes , and 
 Gentiles in all age< - } iCcj-.n. 13. Bj one fpirit we are all baptifed 
 into one body t whether We be ]ewes or Greekj. J- believers have 
 but one God and Father, they are all borne of God % %lt brethren in the 
 Lord t fonnes and daughters alike to the Lord t/Slm'tgkty, Heiresio* 
 gechee of one Inheritance and Kingdoms. So 
 
a Garden of Fruit-trees, \ g y 
 
 So then, Here are ftroxg bonds ofVnity>&ndlove, among the 
 Saints.though Uniformity in outward things, be wanting (heies no 
 mention at all of "Uniformity) though they differ in their opinions, 
 in wales and formes of worfhip, and government, yet being all one 
 6ody,hw\ngz\\one /pirit,one hope , one Lord, one faith , one baptifme^ 
 one God and Father, thefe are fufficient grounds of their Vnion, 
 andlove,one with-,and to another j Thefe are the things that God 
 ftands upon, having Vnity here in thefe things whereby they wor- 
 ship him infpirit andtruthjhough they vary in many external! parts 
 cfworjhip&nd outward adminiftrathns, they are difpenfed withall 
 as we fee,tfo0M4, iS.he that in thefe things ferveth Chrift 9 U accep- 
 table to God, and approved of men 9 and verUl* God hath received 
 hirUtor approved of him. 
 
 Let not men therefore difowne their brethren,for differing from 
 them in the forme • in outward adminifirations of roorfhip or Govern 
 went* when yet they wot fhip the Father inSpirit and in Truth: 
 which if they doe, it is from the camallpart, and to be morn* 
 lied . 
 
 The ninetie fifth Obfervation in Nature. 
 
 ^V'He Husbandman often makes a hedg, or fence ^about his Orchard, 
 and Cjarden, with wild plants, unf rait full trees, or fuch as beare 
 naughty \unpha fan t fruits: a* Qrabtrees, Thornes, fryers, Okcs,A{hes s 
 Blmes,or any fuch like.Vekich Jerve fteli for a mound, or fence, about 
 fiisfrUitfullTrees, and preferve them from anoyances , and hurts , 
 that elfe they are ubjecl unto by Cattle , and othertyife in many re- 
 f peels . 
 
 This fhjdowes out unto us : That 
 
 God (many times) makes ufe of wicked \ and unregenerate per fens for Vropofition- 
 the prtfervation and good of his owne Children . fh&doVfed. 
 
 Many Kings , and dfagtftrates though wicked, andcarnall, 
 havebeene fet up for the defence of the Godly: very many car- 
 nail perfons though they have but only generall conviclions, a 
 forme ofGodlineffe, common Gifts, and graces,ytt they owne the true 
 Religion, and the profeffors of it / notwithftanding they have 
 
 no 
 
j$$ The fprltuall ufe of 
 
 no true, nor cordiall love to either: God makes fuch as an out* 
 ward common fence againfl: the breakings in oi Tyrannical! , and 
 lavage ptrf ms, who might Otberwife amy the Church of Cjod. Yea, 
 many Moral/ perfons are not only a meanes of defence to the God* 
 /^butthey are a!fo W/w/.tnany waies, by their Gifts ,a»d Talents, 
 and outward good things which God hath given them. 
 
 The fpirit of God doth convince the world of unregenerate per? 
 fons upon this Accompt t even for the good of his owne people ,giving 
 to ihzm {omz common tight, ^^c^,andapprehenfions of the 
 things of God,that fo he may take off their fierceneffe, and bit; 
 ternefie that otherwife would naturally break out againfi the God- 
 ly ,and not only fo, but that alio they may be helpfull , and pro* 
 fitable to his owne people . 
 
 Pharaoh was convinced that God was with lofeph, and fo be-- 
 came his freindtyea, and to all his bretbren,and his fathers houfe, 
 and preferved them.and nourifhed them with the beft things of the 
 Land of Egypt»Gen-4o.L*bx»ewettiined t znd preferved Jacob a« 
 bove 20 yeares together, Gen. 19 (^-c. Pharaohs daughter nourifhed 
 Mofes&the whole Court was his freind many yeares,ZCi»g TS^ebu* 
 chadnez.z^r.wis convinced that God was with Daniel,3c preferved, 
 and promoted Daniel*, (0 did 'Beljhaz.z.ar And King Darius 
 aherwzrds'.Dan t 6.3»Shadrach , Mefhach^and Abedmgo were n 08 
 only preferved, but advanced in the Province of Babylon by King 
 T^jbuchadnezzer a heathen king . 
 
 There is abundant Experience of thU truth, in all ages, efpeci* 
 ally in thefe times of the Gofpell, multitudes having common com 
 viilions of the things of God, and entertaining the forme of Godlit 
 although they want the power. They generally (if they have 
 power) preferve the people of God, and Religion) from overthnwes, 
 and deftrutlions , which otherwife Tyrants, and barbarous 
 enemies would bring upon them: Yea,and God makes them many 
 waies ufefull ,and helpfull to his peop!e,by their Gifts, and Common 
 graces, \n 2{aturalLand Mor all things . 
 Vi e * This difcovers the fpeciallcare,nx\d love of God,the power ,tyifdome,8t 
 
 goodueffe ofGod towards his oVpnepeopleswho maketh even their erm 
 mks to becorTie/mW.f co them: Enemies indeed,in t.hmPrinciples,8c 
 Nature /,but freinds through the overruling power of God . The 
 W0r/</ a &all the creatures in it } ate ru!ed,& ordered fci the good of 
 
 the 
 
a Garden of Fruit-trees* 199 
 
 she people ofGod: All things areyours((mh the ApofllejiC 6 ^21.22* 
 the world.life^death jbings prefent ^things to ceme % allare yours.God 
 ufeth , overrttleth and ordertth all things , for the advantage of them 
 that feare him . 
 
 The ninetie fixth Obfervation in Nature. 
 
 HT He Husbandman in Ordering of his fruit-trees obferves the feafons: 
 fome works are to be done at f tic h a time of the yearei Thefpring 
 uthe feafott for Grafting} the fommer for Inoculating , Autumne^. 
 and winter for Tranfplantingipruning and other worses: he can fully 
 obferves the (ejifcns for particular workj. 
 
 This fhadowes out unto us this Vropoption? That Vrotoftion 
 
 God in hU infinite Vtifdome, andgoodneffe obferves thefittefi times, in n'i L 1 
 all his difpenfations towards hii people. 
 
 The great husbandman of his Vineyard, and Oar Sen enclcfed, 
 as he gives difcretion to men to order their works of husbandry* p , o * 1 
 dorh with infinite more wifdome* order his owne husbandry in '^ ' * 
 refped of the matter, manner, ^nd feafons of his worke: When » 1 
 
 hecorretleth his people , as hedoesiu"» meafure (o alfo in feafon j er '* ' * 
 when it is moil likely to prevaile, and take erfed > and when his 
 fpirit reproves the foule, ir is alwaies in feafon . 
 
 When he fpeakes to comf .n, and refrefh the foule, it is infea- 
 fon, Efay 50.4. That 1 fhvuld k»oVp hoW to fpeake a word in feafon to 
 kim that is weary*, he gives his Cordial* feafonably.Hs is a God of 
 Judgment and Wifdome,and he waits to begratiom , Efay 3c. 18. 
 He caries the time,(\<i)es till the fitteft fiawjWaitesfor the cportunity, 
 the feafon to give in a mercy:when it may be with moll advantage 
 to his owne glory, and the good of his people* 
 
 As God (hies t\\\ the fitteft time for tlse punifhment of wick., 
 cd men(when he may do it moft to the glory of his luftice) (o 
 alfo in the difpenfations of grace and mercy to his people. God 
 tarries till men have filled up the meafure of their (in: Gen. 15. 
 16. The iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full. And God indures 
 -with much long fufftring^the veffe/s of wrath fitted to deftrutlion t Rom* 
 9. 22. fo alfo he waits till his people be fitted for fuch> or fuch a 
 mercy as he intends to give> till fome corruption be more mortified 
 and (ubduedjand till £?•*«■ have attained more (hengih> i\\\ grace 
 
 have 
 
$ oo The fpmtuall ufe of 
 
 bavebeene trycd 3 and thereby beeos improved, and sncreafedi 
 when the Took is prtptreA^nd the feafon come, then alfo the mer* 
 cy wiii come: Hab. 2. 3. it will (urely ccme it Vodl not tarry : 
 Jfratls deliverance oat of Sgypt (as a type of other mercies and 
 deliverances to the Church* and people of God in after ages) 
 it was at an appointed time ,and fittefl time> when the people were 
 bed prepared for fucha difpenfatioa, Exod* 12.41. the felfe fame 
 day it came to f*jf*. So alfo God dealeth with others of his 
 people ? 3ccording to that o£ the Frophet, Tfalm. 102. 13. Thou 
 jhdt arife and have mercy upon Syon\ for the time to favour her, ye& 
 the fet time it come « 
 
 God obferves the fittefl time t the feafon, in his difpenfations to* 
 Wards his people,that thereby he may lay a ground for the ad. 
 vantage of his owoe glory > for the clearer raanifeftationof his 
 glorious Attributes \Mercy ,? ufl 'ice , wifdomi, power ', goodneffe-^ &c* 
 And iecondly, becaufe hereby wee are the more olearely convin* 
 ced of what is done, and are more taken, more affected 
 with it, it makes the deeper imprefiion , is fee on the 
 more ftrongly,and a mercy in\eafon ingages the heart more firme* 
 Jy , and fully, than otherWife it would do; Veter was not delivered 
 out ofPrifonat firfi,fofoone as the Church prayed for him, bat 
 God chokapeculiar feafonfiven the very night before Herod in* 
 tended tobring him forth to execution, Atls iz.God mideHan- 
 na to wait long for a mercy, yea God himfelfe waited to be 
 gratioustoher s at the fittefl time % when (he was in extraordinary 
 bitteroeof fpiric> God gave her her hearts defirej a Child of 
 
 iZ/ r e many Pray ers,and fo of many mercies. 
 
 Hence we fhould learne to magnify the riches of the Vvifdome] 
 and grace ofGodtowwds as,who not only bellowes good things up. 
 
 iVfe" on ns bat his care is alfo to give them in the prf/?fj'w?. 
 
 "■ Doth God waite on as to difpenfe mercies , for our befr ad van- 
 
 tsge 3 and(ball not we waite on God, fhiilnotwe be content to 
 tarry the Lords leafure 9 which is alwaiesthe fittefl time, for the ful- 
 filling of his /7rG?wJ/«?.r, sod our prayers, as the Vrephet encourageth 
 us: Tfa/m. 27. 14. Wait on the Lord, be of good courage , and he 
 _. Jhallfi lengthen thine heart /wait I (ay on the Lord. 
 
 Is Godfea r onable in all his difpenfations towards us, let us then 
 labour to be feajonable in bringing forth fruit unto him T and one 
 towards another* It is crue ? we fhould beare good fruns conti- 
 nually* 
 
 3 Vk. 
 
dGarden of Fruit-trees. 4 2 01 
 
 finally. -but yet there are fome efpecidl times, fortie fea/ons^opportunu 
 ties which are advant ages in our agings for God, our (elves, and 
 orhers; thefe a Chriflian fhould watch for, and wifely mas,, 
 nags* . 
 
 The ninetie feventh Obfervation in Nature. 
 
 HTH^ Roote of a tree communicates , and, gives up fap to all the 
 Branches , one as well as . another > to the (male ft a* Well 
 as to the areattft' the ieafi branch , or Trvi% upon the Tree , jea the 
 leafi bad upon the leafi branchy hath as conftant, and reall a fupply 
 cffap from the roote, as the greateft bough or branch upon the 
 Tree. 
 
 This fludowes oat unto us: That Vropofnian 
 
 ]e(w Chnft gives forth as conftant a fupply of all grace to the med* fcadoVPed. 
 mfl of his people ,as to thofe Who are moft eminent. 
 
 Chrift takes ca?e of a II his people, he will not loofe or neg- 
 lect the leaft member,-]^ 17.1 2. Thofe that thou gave ft me 1 have 
 keyt,and none of them is loft. He praiesfor them all, Iohn 17. 21. 
 That thej all may bt one % as than father art in me and I in thee 
 &c . 
 
 He provides milks for bsbes,zs well wftrong me Ate for fuch as are 
 better groyne % \C or. 1.7,. And chargeth Peter againe and againe^ 
 (a? he would fbewhis love to hiro)to feede his Lambs and huSheepe, 
 John 21.15,16,17. He gives a charge to all that they take heed 
 that they offend not, nor delpife oneof his little ones, UWatth.l8.iO» 
 He is the good and csutfuW Shepheard , that takes care of all his 
 Jhesp, and feeds them, \ohn\o. He carries the Lambs in his bojome, 
 and gently leadeth fuch as are young, Sfay 40.1 1. mt one of his little 
 ones (hall pen/h.CMatth. 38. 14. And as he writs unto the elder 
 andftronger £hri!f tans y the fathers^tid young men: (o alfo to his lit* 
 tleChildren, 1 John 2. 12, 13. &c. He cakes caieofall, and com- 
 municates grace, and fupplyes toalixo the meane/l, and makeft, 
 as well as the ftrengeft: Yea, and rewards all that (hsw good will, 
 (though the fmaleft kindneflej to the leaft of his A4embers, as if 
 they had donne it to hi mfdfe, ^^,25.40. Verily I fay unto you, 
 
 C c in 
 
202 The fpirituall vfe of 
 
 in as much as ye have done it unto the lea/} oftbefe my brethren, jee 
 h^e done it unto me. 
 
 iVfe. This magnifies the riches? of the free grace and love of jefus 
 
 Chrifl towards his,p€ople.* who though "he "be exalted on high, 
 and let at the right hand of Godi farre above all Principality, an& 
 power ^and might, and dominion, and every name that is named^not 
 only in this ^nrld, bat alfo in theVeor Id tocome y Ephe. I. 21. yet he 
 remembers, his people, even every one of them; as well the leafl 
 and msaneft . as the flrongeft anH mofl eminent of them : as well the 
 Lambs, little Children, and babes, as (trorg men, and fathers; and 
 * communicates of his falneffs, grace for grace, as well to one, as to 
 another (in their meafure) as really as the Koote does (ap to all 
 
 r~ -. . the branches fmall and great* 
 
 - '*' This is a ground of ftrong and lading confolation to all weak* 
 believers who are (till under doubts> and feares by reafon of their 
 Vteakneffe'Att fuch know,and confider, that Chrifl upholds them, 
 though they ate but \mzll,and^eaktt^igs, or branches, being uni- 
 ted to the (lock-, or Koote, the fame nourishes themg and gives up 
 (by hi? fpiric)(ure,3nd conftant fupplies of fap,snd life unco them, 
 whereby they live and grow and bears fruit(icme more fome fefTe) 
 as really as the greateft branches'. His love is to one, as well as to 
 another,all were purchafed at one 9 znd the fame rate even With his 
 owne blood. 
 
 The ninetie eighth Obfervation in Nature. 
 
 X D 
 
 SOme "Fruit-trees are prtfi table for one purpofe, and fome for another^ 
 their fruits being of {ever all kinds, fome are ulefull one Way, and 
 fome another ^fome are fit t eft for Cider, others to bake,ortobe prepared 
 feverall Veaies for the Table, others are eaten of them (elves. "without any 
 preparation^ fome are fit for fsode, (ome for r PhyJicl^ fome for Cor- 
 dials 1 all are good t and profitable in their kinds , according to their 
 
 ~ . . feverall ufes . 
 
 rropofmon 
 
 {btdotyed. This (hadowes out unto us this Vropoftion: That 
 
 The people of God bring glory to him, profit , and edification to the 
 body of thrift t in divers re (peel succor ding to the diver (ny of the Cji\ts % 
 
 Graces 
 
d Garden of Fruit-trees] 203 
 
 Gracehaxd Operations of the fpfrit of God in thtnt. 
 
 This is manifefl: from Scripture, and continuall Experience. 
 Believers having fev.eral! Gifts -And endowments in Nature , and 
 grace&xe imployed,and fet on worke by God in thejr generations 
 according as he haih fitted them for their feverajl works: For as 
 the Members in the Natural! body have not all one, and the fame 
 £)ff,ce, fo neither the Afyftical/body, Rom. 12. 6, ' Having then 
 Gifts J', faring according to the grace that is given to us t whether prof 
 phefte, let us prophefie according to the proportion of faith verf, 7. Or 
 LMinifiry, let us Wait on our UVliniflring , or he that teacheth,on 
 teachingyor he that exhoneth on exhortation &c. As every man hath 
 received the gift, fo LMinifter the fame one to another>as good Rewards 
 §f the manifold grace of God; Let him do it us of the ability Which 
 God giveth, that Qodinallmay things he glorified throughfehsChrifit 
 lPff.4. I o, 1 1 . What ever hi: gifts >QK abilities be y m«.ke otfirong, 
 meane or eminent, they are his Talents (or one at lead) which moft 
 not be hid,but ufed.and imployed>for the giory ofGod,andprofic 
 of himfelfe and others . 
 
 As among the Members of the body, the hafl, and meant fl is ufe* 
 full, and profitable to thebodyj dnd the eye cannot fay unto th e 
 hand, J have no neede of thee: nor againe the head to the fete, 1 hav e 
 no need of you : but fuch as feeme to be mofl feeble, are necfjjary, 
 iCor.i2.2i,22.foin the body of Chriftand alfo in the political! 
 body the CommontWealth ,the laboring husbandman, and the mea* 
 neft Tradefman are necefTary,and their labours, and indufhies, in 
 feverall and various waies, are all, as (really in their meafure) 
 conducing to the upholding, and advantaging of a Nation , as 
 thofe in the high(l imployments. 
 
 The Apoflle fhewes this truth very largely, iO. 1 2.4^,6. &c 
 V here are diver fit ies of Giftts } diver fities of adminifirations^diverfttiei 
 tf operations by the fame fpirit, verf. %. To one is given the Word of 
 z»ifdcme,to another the Work of Knowledg 9 to another faith, to another 
 the gifts of Healing) to another the wording of Miracles, to another 
 V>ophefie,to another decerning of fpirits> to another divers Tongues, 
 to another the interpretation of tongues. Allthefe Worketh that one 
 and the ftlfe fame ffirit, dividing to every man fever Ally as he 
 mlU 
 
 C c z Ssldome 
 
2 04 The ftmtmll ttfe of 
 
 Sddomesor never is it feene that any .one minis eminent in all 
 the faculties of the mind in &\\ gifts and graces, but if he excellin one 9 
 he is defetlive in another, if his^fft lie mfolidity of Iudgment t 
 and underflanding^X. may be he is defetlive in his utterance, or mi^/ 
 making oat, what he conceives, and apprehends, wherein fome o# 
 thers *Aw//,ihatcome (h)rt of him' in Judgment i one mm excells 
 in quicfyejfe ofapprehenftons, another in loundnefie Q^uctgment % 
 another iq tb^ gift of memory ,anothei in a/<*«7f,and ready expre(fi- 
 e».One is eminent in the grace of/^jfAanother in love, another in 
 ^«?/7^y,another in/J4r^«^,anotbena^,?<«^; One man hath skill 
 in one [demean other man in another^ One ia this Art, or Trade, 
 another in fome other. 
 
 As the Members in the Ntturall bzfy have feverall formes, and 
 fevera/l u\es andofficesXo is it in the My fiicall body the Church, and 
 alfo in thenar? ,or Common Wealth, that in various, and feverall 
 refpedb,all might bring Glory to God and benefits one to ano- 
 ther. 
 The consideration of this (Tioald make us to admire the won. 
 
 iVfe. derfaUmfdome of Godjn fo ordering,and difpofingof thing^that 
 one perfon might behelpfull and profitable to another* every 
 oneufefull in his place,andcalling,by their feverall gifts, graces^ 
 atlings and operations^ feverall natures anddegretSg among them* 
 felves,and one with anotherjfhat all fhould conduce.and worke to* 
 gether(though in feverall waies, and refpedb) to bring glory to 
 
 r- . God, and profit,and edification each to other. 
 
 2 Vfe. j^j s a j(- (hoold teach Governors (and all who have any 
 
 charge over others) to ohferve-, and find out, what the Gift, and 
 quaificarion\$ t Qfi\\ofe over whom they have any charge > that Co 
 accordingly they may defigne them, and difpofeof them,- this is 
 their ducy>and their wifdome. And itiseve>y ones daty in refe* 
 rencctobimfelfeC before he enter upon inyfalh «g;or cpnrfe of life) 
 to confider wherein cheifey hU gift lies, chat accordingly he may 
 apply hlmfelfe: For feeing the fpirit of GoA divides to every man 
 gifts and qualifications feverally as he YM/,iCV.i2 ii, it is our du« 
 ty to roW with the ftreame>&Ddf4le With the w'ind; we (hall make 
 the fpee&ier and better progrejfc • And for want of this many men 
 dishonour themfelves &their Callings^ Gob raoft of alljby entring 
 Bspon thofe ttwf *and Work* for which they are no way fit, as wan. 
 
 Cing 
 
4 Garden of Fruit-trees, 205 
 
 ting a Gift to that parpofe, it lying in fome other re fpec% which 
 ihey ought to have fearcbedoutand improved, that fo they might 
 have brought thereby more glory to Qod t and more profit to the 
 body ofChnfi. 
 
 And further in this Propofition as in a glafle, we may fee the 
 folly, and pride of fome men,who being eminent in feme Gifts, or \%jfi 
 endowmtnts&nd thereby alfo (it may be; anfwerably profitable} 
 in Church or Commonwealth, upon occafion of which they defpife 
 ethers , who are their inferious in fuch gifts : but knew 
 O vaine man, that thofe others may excell thee in fome other 
 Gtfts t *nd may bring glory to God, and benefit to the body of fchrift 
 as much another way by their fervent prayers, (pirituallfpeeches.and 
 conferences Jooly and humble walking, diligent improvement of Gifts , 
 Talents, advantages which God bach pat inro their bands .' 
 And therefore Chriilians fhouid walke humbly > though never fo 
 eminent in qualifications > even upon this consideration as well as 
 others, that though they excell their brethren in thefe , 
 and thefe thing«,yet thofe their brethren may go beyond them in 
 other gifts, and be profitable as much, or more than themfelves 
 another way .according to whit God bath given them. 
 
 The ninetie ninth Obfervation in Nature . 
 
 All the winter long the v e u fap abiding in the tree, and conti* , ,. - 
 nually rifing (a) up frpm the Rocte, tcprtjerve the tree in life, il^ lQ0 l0I 
 avai* ft all anoyance s> by theatre, extracting out the fa p, or by dry i ^> Ct 
 cold winds, fr efts, mildeftes, blafting or the like, that els Would deflroy 
 the tree . 
 Th is (h^dowes out onto us: That 
 
 Thtre is a continmll fecret fupply offtrength from £7>?*/?, to e* J>y p r tt ; m 
 very btlhverjin time ofdefertion , and temptation, to preferve from to* fotdowd* 
 tallUlh*g a\X>ay t 
 
 Tht Lord hath foretold his people that through many tribulatiz 
 ens-, thtymuft enter into the kingdome of God, and hereafter, in hea* 
 ven it (hall be faid of them thefe are they that came out of great 
 tribulations'. They mod goe through many tryals,%nd temptations 
 inihiswotld, yea fome of them go through fiery tryals > very 
 
 [harpe, 
 
2 c 6 The fprltudl ufe of 
 
 Jharpe, hot^errible temptations both in reference to the outward, 
 
 and inward man> when no* only all creatures fesme to be againfl: 
 
 thsffi/ou" even God himftife alfoj God (> metimes hides hts face, 
 
 P[.6g.i.L<im. and anfwers not, yea feeiT.s as an enemie , and yet in ail thefe 
 
 3.54. t^^ers deepe (a)waters^ndfijuds chirrunne over them, they are prefers 
 
 flowed over vcc j ' ronj fc QVfn fag % ene j r head is above water, yea, and zfecre t hand 
 
 1 (Ml am cut m ^' rmat ^ upholds them from finking* God bids ail his redeem 
 
 iff, med ones take notice of this Efaj.43 .2. feare not, for I have redeem 
 
 mtdthee s \ have called thee by thy name jhou art mine: when thou paft 
 
 (eft through the waters, I will be with thee, and through the Kivers, 
 
 they /hall not overflow theet when thou walkeji through the fir e % than 
 
 /halt not be burnt ^c. 
 
 David was in great diftrefle^when hefaid/ am fay gotten as 4 dead man 
 out ofminde,\ am like a broken veffell,?fal.^i.i i.yet belpe was nee* 
 rer then he was awiie of, which he afterward* perceived, and ac 
 know!edged,z*.2 2. 1 (aid in mj haftt.tm cm cff^om before thine eyes, 
 mvertheleffe thou heardefi the voice of my applications. 
 
 In the winter of defertion f and diftreffe of foule, when the (unne is 
 d,-«4<?i,yea,and gone afarreorTtoo,as to the foniesapprehenfior, 
 when a poore creature can perceive 00 motions of the fpirit , nor 
 workings of any grace, when theres no buds nor blooms, no (eaves 
 nor fruits f to be perceived upon the tree, nofigneof life, no fun* 
 Jhine s DOt/howerf t no dewes, no refrejbingjbut contrariwife, Clouds 
 and dar^nejfe round about, cold boyfterow winds, fhxrp t hard ftofts % 
 fiormesof /»0\v, and haile, all difcouragerntnts, deadnefle, hard, 
 neffe othezit,all ki»ds of temptations, from within, and without, 
 yet even then there ^are fecret (upports , from and by the hand of 
 ChrifUie is there prefent,and overfees all,and manages all for the 
 good of the poore foule, for otherwife the fpirit would faile, it 
 could not be able to bsare up under the weight of thefe tempta* 
 
 ' 7 r £ ' ons - 
 
 j / ^he confederation of this may be a Cordially poore diftreffed 
 
 \PlaL 69.2° f 013 j eSj vvhen they finke zrAfttck. faft in the deepe mire Vehere there 
 is no /landing, when they are fallen into deepe waters where the 
 floods runne over them. Let them know and confider, that the 
 thoughts of God towards them are not as their thoughs: They 
 fomctimes fay.or are ready to fay , and think as the diftreHed 
 Church did, E(ay^,i^.The Lord hath for\ak$n me\ and my Lord 
 hath Ur gotten me. Bat 
 
Vfe) 
 
 a Garden of Fruit-trees* 207 
 
 But what are their thoughts of God(m the mesne time) towards 
 fucbpoore difcouragedfoule^his thoughts are thoughts of love, 
 even the moft tender love j paffing the love of the moft tender 
 Mothers towards their deate Children: Sjay 4p,i$. Can a tvo* 
 man forget her fucking child that fmfbould not have compafjin on the 
 fonne of her womb.yea, they may forget ,y it mil 1 not forget thee. 
 Though God withhold (ometiroes the evidence of his lovelorn 
 his people , yet his love changer h not , though he feeme to caft 
 downe^nd overthrow yet he doth fecretly uphold. 
 
 Therefore letfuchofhis people that walks in darkneffe , and 
 have no light ,truft in the name of the Lord and flay themselves upon 
 their God,8f*y 50. io. and in theufeof all good meanes waite for 
 d«Iiverance 5 for as Cod giveth now afureandfecretfupport in, and 
 under the affliclion, (0 he will give (in his t\me)afull deliverance^ 
 that his people may praife him. 
 
 The hundred Obfervation in Nature, 
 
 FRuit-trees give forth their fruits at freely to the poore % as to the 
 Rich, the) naturally bea^e as much and as good fruit in the poore 
 mans Gardener Orchard as in the richmansx They are (all one) as 
 freehand liber all to the poore, as to the Rich,and greatejt perfons. 
 
 Hence we may learne: That 
 
 True Cfaiftians doe communicate of their good things, as freely to 
 the poore as tothe Rich. 
 
 There are Rales^nd commands to ufe,and improve our Talents 
 of all good thing for th^gotdofall^Poore and Rich but efpecially 
 to give out s and distribute to the Poore,ani meaner fort: and more 
 efpecially to rhofe that are Godly t Gal 6. 10. ID good unto all-, but 
 efpeciall) to the houfhsld of faith y iTim6^8 Be ready to diftribuie, 
 Vtiltnigio com»ntcate,He. 1 3 . 1 6. To do good &commnnicatefor get not* 
 This is a j ft Reproofe unto thofe who call themfelves Chnftians 
 (and irm3y bearefo)and yet have little regard to the Voore, and 
 mta e? fan of perfons who live amongfl: them.in any the good things -. 1 
 they communicate'. Many of the greater fort of perfons (Profeftors ' *" 
 
 and others)are free in their gifc y zvd benefits one towards ano* 
 ther freqnently inviting,*nd feaflixg ©ne another, hut few,or none 
 of be Poorest meaner ranlne offfhrtflians^xt the betr.tr for all 
 fuch e j> -ivsjdireclly contrary to the fW**and command of our 
 blefltd Saviour (as though they had never heard of any fuch 
 
 thing) 
 
i o 8 The fyirituall ufe of 
 
 thing)wherehe faies plarnely: Luk* 14.12. when thou makfft a 
 dinner or ajupper^call not thy rich neighbours, and freindj leaft they bid 
 thee againf^andarecempenfebe made thee, but call the pcore^c. and 
 th on Jhah be recom'penftd at the refurreftion of the juft . 
 
 Though this pSsce be not foto be t3ken, as though the rich 
 might not be inviced,yet it is rnach more (hong for thzpoore; But 
 how far are many Kich Vreftffors frcm wa!krg by thitrule % 
 or the Example of job C'hap.3 1 17. who eels- us he eat not his Mori* 
 (els alone; but the poore had part with him : and this was a groand 
 of comfort to hsra in his greiteft troublespWhat will fuch perfons 
 an.fwere our bkffed Lord at thelaftday , when he tels them, ye 
 were afhamed of me in my poore Mtmbers, ye owned chem not, 
 yee invited and enremined one another freely, and frequen?Iy,bce 
 my poore brethren were not amongft you; akhough ye knew 
 your Mafters will inthU ihing,yei ye did it not, but walked contra- 
 ry to it? 
 2 Vfe] This is for the honour &comfort of thofe who communicate of 
 their good thing? as weII(or much rather) to the poore y and waneft 
 Members of Jf/WC/jr*/?,a$ to the Rid?, And according to the Exam* 
 pie of ChriiljOwnethem (ot bretbreniTo thefe he will fay, come 
 je bleffed Children of my father, inherit the h%ngdom?\for in a* much as 
 yejhewsd kwdneffe to thefe my brethren je did it unto me^Mat.l^. 34. 
 
 Thus have I(through theafliftanceor God)performed my pro- 
 rnife,to make up whac was formerly pjblifhed,3n 100 Obfervatitns 
 w2^4f«^, with Similitudes', together with their improvement to 
 fpiriruall ufes . 
 
 I have many more in my iVar/^butrnoftareyetinthe [eede, 
 or "S^which when they are growen up, and enlarged (as theie) 
 into a 2?<j^;,and Branches,! (hil!(if the Lord pleafe) communicate 
 them alfo.-that others (if they will bur receive them, & be content 
 to have them planted in their owne gardens') may partake of their 
 Frmts^nch Fruits as the ApoflU fpeakes of Gal 5. and Co/. 1.6. 
 And it is my delire,and {application to the great husbandman that 
 he will engraftevery truth into our hearts, and caufe it to grow, 
 and thrive (by the Sun^he^i^aineofhtaven^ndtobt'ing forth 
 much good frmt y MX\loh\m[t\h:pleaUnt % Si favor j fruits, fuch as he 
 loveth, and will eat of,t hat his foule may bleffe us;yea, & where- 
 of weourfelvesmayalfo/^,not only here but to all Eternity. 
 FINIS. 
 
^* r *•*. 
 
 ?«*j§52ot 
 
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