The Souls Implantation into the Natural Olive, Part 5 – Duplicate pages
Spirituall Joy.
HABAKKUK 3.17, 18.
Although the Fig-tree ſhall not bloſſome, neither ſhall fruit be in the vines: the labour of the Olive ſhall faile, and the fields ſhall yeeld no meat, the flocke ſhall be cut off from the fold, and there ſhall be no heard in the ſtalls: Yet I will rejoyce in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my ſalvation.
THIS Text may fitly be called,Order. The poore mans comfort in a deare yeare. It was the Prophets ſtay in the great deſolation which he fore-ſaw to be comming by the Chaldeans. In the firſt Chapter hee complaines of Iſraels ſinne, and the Chaldeans crueltie. In the ſecond, he ſees a viſion of comfort for the Church, and the deſtruction of the enemies. In the third, he prayes for accompliſhment, and ſtrengthens his faith in prayer, by recounting the old dealings of God with his people. Now toward the concluſion, hee profeſſeth his owne hope and confidence in God; which, by his example he would worke all godly men unto. True, hee was greatly afraid at the vengeance of God; but by fearing before hand, he procured a ſweet ſecuritie for time to come, verſe 16. That I might reſt in the day of trouble. And in the text he ſpeakes more fully, Although the Figge-tree ſhall not bloſſome, &c.
Parts.In the words is, 1. A ſuppoſition of great evill which probably might come upon the Jewes, verſ. 17.2. A propoſition of his own unmoveable comfort amidſt it all, verſ. 18.
ExpoſitionOf the ſuppoſition. In many particulars the Prophet ſets forth an extreme vaſtation and deſolation of their countrey; all commodities ſhould faile, which concerned both delight and neceſſitie: that is, Corne, Wine, Oyle, & other fruits, both ſmall and great Cattell, thoſe in the fold, thoſe in the ſtall, Sheepe and Oxen; all ſhould come ſhort of the wonted plentie. I name foure wayes whereby ſuch miſery invades a nation, and the particular inhabitants.
Firſt, by Warre, and the Sword, which layes all waſte where it comes, as in Germany; the vines cut, the fruit trees rooted up, the corne burnt, or not ſowed, flockes and herds driven away, Temples and houſes laid in their rubbiſh, and people ſlaughtered. Neither Eaſterne nor Weſterne Babylonians can affoord better termes of agreement with the Iſrael of God:Prov. 12.10. The tender mercies of the wicked are cruell.
Secondly, by drought, or other calamities of ill weather, when the yeare of reſtraints commeth, Jer. 14.1. and then hee deſcribes a grievous famine; the former and latter raine is with-holden, the ſweet influence of the Pleiades is reſtrained,Job. 38.31. the heaven made as braſſe, the earth as iron, unkindly windes, devouring wormes, blaſt, mildew, and other evils which we have indured.
Thirdly, by loſſes and caſualties which the wiſedome of man cannot foreſee, nor his power prevent. Thus the folds and ſtalls of Job were made empty, and the like hath befallen many a rich man, and may hereafter. To the world-ward none can rightly be accounted bleſſed, but hee that is fairly buried: Others have wine, and oyle, and olives, and other dainties in plentifull meaſure; but this or that man hath loſt his part, and hath much adoe to ſuſtaine his neceſſitie.
Fourthly, by meere poverty, and utter diſability to make ſuch proviſions: Some never had theſe fine things, mentioned in the Text, nor have, nor are likely ever to have, unleſſe at other mens tables: with ſome, every yeare is a deare yeare, through their whole life, though ſome pinch them more than other. A poore, empty, ſmoke-bound cottage, with courſe bread, and water out of the next ditch, muſt containe and content them till their dying day.
Yet to ſuch as theſe the propoſition of Habakkuk extendeth it ſelfe: If the perſons and cauſes be alike, the joy alſo ſhall bee alike: I will rejoyce in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my ſalvation. If Chriſt be come into the houſe, and by him ſalvation, who ſhall forbid them to bee comfortable, as Zacheus and the Jaylor?
I will rejoyce in the Lord: or, becauſe of the Lord, Bajehova; and ſo in the next clauſe, Baelohi: God is left unto me, when all elſe is taken away: ſtill I I have a God to take comfort in. And
Firſt, he is greater matter of comfort, than any of thoſe things can be of ſorrow and dejection: for thoſe are finite evils, but God an infinite good.
Secondly, he is higher than they all; my comfort lies out of the reach of all enemies, and all adverſities.
Pſal. 46.1.Thirdly, he is nearer than any of them: a very preſent refuge in the time of trouble. Loſſes and croſſes goe neere to the heart, and to the quick, but God is nearer.
Fourthly, he is Jehova, in whom I rejoyce, hath his being of himſelfe, and gives being to all the creatures, and preſerves it ſo long as him pleaſeth: Therefore by his benefit I ſhall ſubſiſt, when all the ſecundary meanes of maintenance are intercepted:Matth. 4.4. Man lives not by bread onelyonly, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
Fifthly, he is the God of my ſalvation: that is, he ſaves my body and naturall life, whether I have meanes, or no meanes: it is he that ſtrikes the maine ſtroke in my preſervation: by an Hebraiſme oft called, The God of ſalvation: and this not only temporally, for the body, but ſpiritually and eternally, for the ſoule. And then the argument is eaſie; He that doth the greater, will doe the leſſe too: God that ſaves us from hell & the Divell, will ſave us from ſtarving, and the like miſeries: Jehova, that became the Lord Jeſus to us when we had no ſtrength, will never ſticke with us for trifles in compariſon.
This ſweet and bleſſed name meets him that reads the Text in the Originall: Baelohi jiſhgni, which Saint Jerome tranſlates, in God my Jeſus, or Saviour: juſt as the Virgin ſang,Luke 1 47. De civit. Dei, l. 18. c. 32. My ſpirit rejoyceth in God my Saviour: and Saint Auſtine preferres the uſing of this, nomen amicius & dulcius, before the Septuagints, Deo ſalutari meo. Certaine it is, that by Chriſt only we have intereſt in God, and can rejoyce in him: There is no ſalvation in any other: Act. 4.12.nor any other name given under heaven, by wich wee can be ſaved. And in him doe all true Chriſtians triumph, Phil. 3.3. not in the righteouſneſſe of the Law, nor in any legall and carnall priviledges. And wee have ample cauſe to rejoyce in him, even in the greateſt failing of naturall comforts, and greateſt deſolations that can come upon us. Although the fig-tree bloſſome not, &c. Although there be another drought, & another, and ten years one after another, and a greater mortality of peſtilence, and the ſword too, with all the miſchiefes that accompany it, Yet I will rejoyce in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my ſalvation.
In greateſt wants true Chriſtians have cauſe enough to rejoyce in God.Doctr. However the world goes for comforts of nature, yet in Chriſt wee have full cauſe to rejoyce, and ſo ſhould ſtirre up our ſelves to doe. See Pſal. 42.5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11. and 73.25, 26, 27, 28. Dying Jacob lifted up himſelfe, by thinking on the ſalvation which God had wrought for him: Gen. 49.18. Job ſtript of all, praiſed God, as when hee had all about him. Moſes, ſeeing him that is inviſible, feared not the wrath of the King. Micaiah, having ſeene God in a viſion, was nothing daunted at the preſence of two glorious Kings. The three children, beleeving in God, regarded neither NebuchadneZZars anger, nor the furnace extraordinarily heated. So the Apoſtles, Acts 4. and 5. and the Martyrs in ſeverall hiſtories of the Church.
Reaſon 1 Eccleſ. 1.2.One reaſon whereof may be taken from the vanity of the creature. Vanity of vanities, vanity of vanities (ſaith the Preacher) all is vanity and vexation of ſpirit. They are good comforts of nature where they may be had, and a good man will make them ſo many encouragements in the way of grace: But God never appointed them to be part of the Saints portion:Gen. 15.1. No, I am thy portion, thy buckler, and great reward: and ſo the Chriſtian makes account, Lam. 3.24. The Lord is my portion, ſaith my ſoule, therefore will I hope in him. And he ſets no ſuch high price upon wine, oyle, or other comforts, as that without them he ſhould not rejoyce in his God. So he either parts with them the more eaſily, or wants them the more joyfully.
Reaſon 2 The other is taken from the ſuperabundant excellencie of the Creator:
Both in reſpect of his Attributes, on which whiles a Chriſtian meditates, hee ſhall ever finde ſomething to ſet againſt his particular maladie, with a large over-plus of comfort.
And in reſpect of his Workes, both of Creation and Providence; and this, both for preſervation and gubernation, Pſal. 92.4, 5. Thou, Lord, haſt made me glad through thy worke: I will triumph in the workes of thy hands: O Lord, how great are thy workes! and thy thoughts are very deepe! And theſe very evils, drought, dearth, warre, &c. are they not by Gods permiſſion? and limited how long they ſhall continue? and ordered to a good end? Rom. 8.28.
And in reſpect of his Ordinances: The Word is our ſong in the houſe of our pilgrimage, and the joyfull tidings of our ſalvation. The Sacrament is a marriage ſupper of the great King for his onelyonly Sonne: Eate, O friends, drink, yea drink abundantly, Cant. 5.1. Pſal. 84.1.O beloved. And the Tabernacles of God are amiable, the onelyonly joy of David.
And in reſpect of his unſpeakable benefits in and by Chriſt: that one word (Salvation) is an epitome of all bleſſings, it comprehends the cauſes, means, effects, and perpetuitie of our bleſſedneſſe, and abſolute overthrow of the enemies; and ſpecially the immediate authour of ſalvation, which is Chriſt. It would aske an houres diſcourſe, and more, to tell in particular what ample cauſe we have to rejoyce in Chriſt; that if we had nothing left us, but naked Chriſt, in naked Chriſt we ſhould have Peace and Joy enough, John 16.33. Chriſt at the worſt and pooreſt is a rich treaſure;Quod cunque Deo indignum eſt, mihi expedit. Tert. Whatſoever became him not as God, is expedient and profitable unto us: even his ſhamefull & accurſed death. And if his death be ſo joyous and bliſsfull, what ſhall his reſurrection be, his aſcenſion, ſeſſion at the right hand of his Father, and interceſſion for us, with all the gracious execution of his Kingly and Propheticall office? Why ſhould the want of temporalls diſturbe our joy in this God of ſalvation?
Reteine comfort in God, whatever thou wanteſt. Jam. 1.9.Uſe 1. Of exhortation: To reteine our comfort, as the Prophet here doth. As all true-hearted Chriſtians ſhould ſtirre up themſelves to rejoyce in God, and the ſure mercies of David, while the meanes of grace and of worldly comfort do continue, ſo eſpecially, the brother of low degree ſhould rejoyce becauſe he is exalted (in ſpirituall things) as high as any, and hath equall ſhare in the God of ſalvation. In deepe povertie, in falling from a great eſtate, in deare yeares, in deſolation by warre if it ſhould come, in all troubles and afflictions, ſtill we have a ground of joy, while God is in heaven, and can have recourſe to the Chriſtian heart at pleaſure: Hold thine owne, remember thy evidences, make uſe of thy proviſions; now is a time and occaſion to ſay as the Prophet, Although the Fig-tree bloſſome not, Pſal. 46.1.—5.&c. and as the Pſalmiſt, God is our refuge and ſtrength, a very preſent helpe in trouble: therefore will we not feare though the earth bee removed, &c. Although the ſtone cut my reines, my ſpleene paine me, or other diſeaſes torment me; although I be put beſide my meanes, turned out to the wide world, my wife and children ſet to begging, my ſelfe ſhut up in priſon, and wait for the day of execution; although I meet with a peeviſh and peſtilent adverſary at the law, be defamed, know not how preſently to cleare mine innocencie, but goe for an evill doer, &c. Yet I will rejoyce in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my ſalvation. None of all this can drive away the great Comforter from me, but rather he will ſolace me the more for theſe diſcomforts in the world: Chriſt is left ſtill, and the love of God, and the kingdome of heaven, to receive me out of the moſt miſerable ſhipwracke. And the ſame God that now admits me a gueſt at his table, to eate of his ſweet and fat things, will one day make me ſit downe with Abraham, Iſaac, and Jacob in the kingdome of heaven.
O my brethren, were not we our owne foes, and ſtood in our owne light, what comfortable lives ſhould we lead even in the midſt of the valley of the ſhadow of death! Were it not for paſſion,Pſal. 23.4. impatience, covetouſneſſe, doting on the fine things of the world, love of credit and reputation among worldlings, living too much the life of ſenſe, formalitie in holy duties, ſecuritie in putting away the evill day, and other corruption, certainly we ſhould joy in our God all the day long, whatever the yeare be, or can bring forth: we might doe what we are commanded, Phil. 4.4. Rejoyce in the Lord alwaies, and againe, I ſay, Rejoyce. No dearth, or other evill ſhould take us unprovided. It is our owne fault, that we totter or ſtagger at any time. Faith, hope, patience, contentment, and other graces, with the comforts of Gods holy Spirit, will ſet us as unmoveable as a rock in the ſea, amidſt the greateſt waves and ſtormes whatſoever.
Reproofe to them that grow uncomfortable for croſſes.Uſe 2. Of Reprehenſion: It is utterly a fault in Chriſtians, if they bee melancholy and dejected, becauſe of croſſe yeares, bad harveſt, loſſe in that or any other kinde, caſualties, calamities, or other evils, that come by the hand of God or man: as if you had no hope in God, but onelyonly in this preſent life, or in the things of this life; or as if God were not ſufficient for your comfort and bleſſedneſſe without theſe temporalls; or had tied himſelfe to meanes, as you are tied to the uſe of them: or as if you muſt needs gaine ſo much, at leaſt ſave your ſelves harmleſſe, otherwiſe God and you will bee friends no longer.
I know that in arguing you will not ſtand to theſe inferences, as truths, and will deny the adoption of Gods children to depend on outward comforts. But, he that whines, pines, ſighes, is caſt downe by the want of them, perhaps becauſe he is ſomething abridged of his former plenty, what doth hee but ſay in effect, that outward proſperitie is one ſigne of the childe of God? Conſider and beware. It is a diabolicall ſtraine, to call our adoption into queſtion, for preſent want of comforts for the body: If thou be the Sonne of God, Matth. 4.3.command that theſe ſtones be made bread. We diſhonour God, torment our own hearts, teare our owne fleſh, ſhorten our daies, hazzard our part in heaven, or at leaſt make our way thither more unpleaſant than we need to doe.
Uſe 3. Of Inſtruction. Wee ſee by this doctrine,Make this ſure, God is the God of my ſalva…ion. what is the maine thing which we had moſt need to doe, even in our greateſt peace and proſperitie, namely, to doe the ſame as the Prophet here had done; make this ſure to our hearts, that the Lord is the God of our ſalvation; and every particular Chriſtian to his owne heart in particular, he is the God of my ſalvation, therefore I will rejoyce in him; although theſe and theſe evils ſhould come, ſtrange, grievous, tedious, yet I will rejoyce in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my ſalvation.
Queſt. This were worth the having; but how ſhould I get it? I would doe any thing for it.
Anſw. Tracke the foot-ſteps of this Prophet throughout this propheſie. It is not for every profane or ſenſuall liver to ſay, he will rejoyce in God, &c. Such are ſent to weepe and howle for the miſery that ſhall come upon them; and, woe unto you that laugh now, yee ſhall weepe; and,Jam. 5.1. Luke 6.25. Amos 6.1. woe to them that are at eaſe in Sion; onelyonly the righteous are called to rejoyce in the Lord, and they that are upright in heart to ſhout for joy and bee glad, Pſal. 32.11. Therefore,
Firſt, look to the main, and be ſure your peace be made with God.Meanes to rejoyce in evill times. None but beleevers can rejoyce in God when great trials come; none elſe are righteous; none elſe have a faith to live by, Hab. 2.4. The juſt ſhall live by his faith. He that deceives himſelfe in his faith, deceives himſelf alſo in his joy: Fancie, preſumption, and ſelf-love will leave a man in the ſuds, when he hath moſt need of comfort; well it may uphold him while the fig-tree bloſſomes, &c. but in the defect of theſe it faileth too, and makes him as penſive as before he was jocund.
Secondly, after the ſorrowes of converſion at the beginning, be ſure alſo to be duely affected with feare and ſorrow when God is ſhewing his terrible workes in the land, ſuch as peſtilence, dearth, drought, diviſions of Reuben, &c. The wiſe of heart will conſider and lay it to heart, and by renewing his repentance, take off the controverſie, ſo farre as it concerns himſelfe, if it cannot be done for others. So did this Prophet, chap. 3.16. When I heard, my belly trembled, my lips quivered at the voyce, rottenneſſe entred into my bones, and I trembled my ſelfe, that I might reſt in the day of trouble. When wee teach joy in God amidſt great calamities, we teach not an Atheiſticall & Cyclopicall contempt of the judgements of God: God forbid; but to take off the edge & ſharpneſſe of afflictions by the exerciſes of humiliation. Even reckoning makes long friends: which is true of God and his people, If wee would judge our ſelves, 1 Cor. 11.31.we ſhould not be judged.
Thirdly, be much and often in the dutie of prayer: the Prophets courſe in this chapter, verſ. 1. A prayer of Habakkuk the Prophet upon Sigionoth. No ſtream of joy will run in a dry yeare, but that which ſprings up from the mountaine of heaven. If wee make our moane to our Father in heaven, and get a comfortable anſwer from him, that is comfort that will ſticke by us, and ſtay with us when wee have moſt need of it:Joh. 16.24. Aske, that your joy may be full.
Fourthly, becauſe Beggars muſt not be chuſers, nor may the holy One of Iſrael be limited, therefore reſolve to wait the Lords leaſure, till he have mercy upon you, Pſal. 123.1, 2. with Hab. 2.1. I will ſtand upon my watch, and ſet me upon the tower, and will watch to ſee what he will ſay unto me, and what I ſhall anſwer when I am reproved. Stay with God in his good wayes, at laſt there will be a viſion of comfort. Haſtineſſe of ſpirit loſeth many a comfortable returne of prayer. He that beleeveth, Iſai. 28.16.muſt not make haſte.
Fifthly, in ſeeing iniquity abound, which thou canſt not helpe and redreſſe, yet be not ſenſeleſſe, but moane thy ſelfe & the evill times before God, by faſting and prayer. Thus our Prophet made his moane, Chap. 1.2, 3, 4. O Lord, how long ſhall I cry and thou wilt not heare! even cry out unto thee of violence, and thou wilt not ſave! why doeſt thou ſhew mee iniquitie? &c. They that mourned for the abominations of Jeruſalem in the time of peace, were marked in the foreheads in the time of trouble and deſolation.Ezek. 9.4. None ſhall have the victorie over ſinne, and the ſad effects of it, but hee that holds up the quarrell againſt it, though in preſent he get but little ground both in himſelfe and others.
Laſtly, in ſeeing the oppreſſion of men, (which Solomon ſaid,Eccleſ. 7.7. is apt to make a wiſe man mad) look up to God, & complain to him, and referre to him the righting of all iniuries: So did our Prophet, ch. 1.12. Art thou not from everlaſting, O Lord my God, mine holy One? we ſhall not die, O Lord, thou haſt ordained them for judgement: and, O mightie God, thou haſt eſtabliſhed them for correction. They are mighty, but God is mightier than they, and will pay them one day for all the deſolations they have made on earth. Downe ſhall come tumbling one day both the Chaire and Tower of Babylon, and the whore that was drunken with the bloud of Saints, Rev. 17.6.and of the Martyrs of Jeſus. Now they lay whole countries waſte and deſolate, to eſtabliſh their idolatrie and ſuperſtition; The fig-tree bloſſomes not, neither is fruit in the vines, &c. yet both theſe Churches in their miſeries have cauſe to rejoyce in the God of their ſalvation, and we for them. If we ply him well in prayer, we may yet ſee them reap in joy, after their ſowing in teares; and as much rejoyce with Sion as ever we mourned for Sion. And in the mean time,Pſal. 73.1. at the very worſt, Truly God is good to Iſrael, even to ſuch as are of a clean heart.
Ob. All this while you diſcourſe of temporals, which it may be eaſie to want, and yet rejoyce ſtill in the Lord; but what ſay you to perſecution, to the broken heart, to the terrors of God in the ſoule, and other ſpirituall evils? how can we now rejoyce in the Lord, or joy in the God of our ſalvation?
Anſw. None of theſe may baniſh all ioy from the heart of a poore beleever;Prov. 15.33. Before honour (ſaith Solomon) goeth humility; and before conſolation, humiliation. They that ſow in teares ſhall reape in joy, Pſal. 120.5. We will open this Text ſomething largely, and therein ſatisfie the objection the more fully.
It is to be underſtood,
1. Of the Church in generall. The common eſtate of Gods Church in this world, is to bee under the Croſſe, and the end of that is the Crowne of ioy and glory. A good iſſue there is of all the Saints trials: So in this Pſalme, the Jewiſh Church had been ſeventy yeares in the hard captivitie of Babylon: They hanged up their harpes at the willowes; Pſal. 137.1, 2, 3.they wept at the remembrance of Sion: their enemies flouted them, and required ſongs in their heavineſſe: too grievous to laſt alwayes, their God raiſeth up a Cyrus for them, who ſhall ſend them home to their own countrey, and not ſend them empty, but with great riches and encouragements: and, ſooner or later, the Church ſhall be rid of all tyrants and perſecuters, Antichriſt, Gog and Magog, and every enemy.
2. Of the particular members of the Church. Each childe of God which is now under hatches, and often forc'd to water his plants, ſhall one day receive of the Lord double for all his ſorrow and perplexitie: as in inſtances.
Firſt, in the act of converſion unto God, there is much fear & ſorrow, both by the law condemning, and eſpecially by the Goſpel aggravating ſin to the height of heynouſneſſe. The Chriſtian is wearie, heavie laden, Mat. 5.3, 4, 11, 28.poore in ſpirit, mournfull, ready to deſpaire. But here Chriſt comprehends him, and gives him faith to lay hold on his merit, whereby hee is bleſſed and comfortable, Math. 5.3, 4. and godly ſorrow worketh repentance unto ſalvation.2 Cor. 7.10.
Secondly, in the holy acts of renewing our repentance: for example, before a Sacrament, in time of calamitie, at the worke of the Miniſtery, awaking and ſummoning the heart to make peace with God againe for relapſes: this coſteth the Chriſtian ſome paines and trouble of conſcience, and ſometimes he is very low brought; but all is for ſetling a ſtronger and firmer peace in his ſoule, Pſal. 30.5, 11. After a ſtorme Chriſt ever brings a great calme into the heart.
Thirdly, in mourning for the abhominations of the times. This takes away the comfort that others have to the world-ward, and macerates a Chriſtian with vexing, grieving, ſighing, praying, faſting: but will procure the marke of deliverance in the evill day, Ezek. 9.4. and joy with the Church and children of God, for whom ſomtimes he vexed his righteous ſoule, Eſay 66.10, 11. And (ſaith our Saviour) Ye ſhall weep, Joh. 16.20, 33.& the world rejoyce, but your ſorrow ſhall be turned into joy: in me you ſhal have peace.
Fourthly, in enduring the afflictions of the Goſpel, or of the world, ſhame, reproach, loſſe, paine, perſecution for righteouſneſſe ſake, ſhall be abundantly recompenced with joy in the holy Ghoſt, and the joy of heaven, Mat. 5.10, 11, 12. The like of ſuffering by the hand of God or men in common affaires. They that are well exerciſed by afflictions, ſhall one day bee comforted, as Lazarus: all will end as a Comedie, in mirth and felicitie.
All this is metaphorically compirſed in the Text, by a figure of ſowing and reaping, uſuall in the Scripture: Sow to the fleſh or ſpirit: ſow liberally, Gal. 6.8. 2 Cor. 9.6. Pſal. 97.11.and reap liberally: the Lord gives bread to the ſower: light is ſowen for the righteous, &c. A wet and cold ſeed-time brings the husbandman afterward a plenteous and ioyfull harveſt: ſo the ſad times and occaſions that goe over Gods people, will firſt or laſt bring them a great meaſure of joy, comfort, bleſſedneſſe. Heare the limitations a little.
1. Not the teares themſelves, conſidered in themſelves, bring forth the joyfull crop, but the ſowing in teares; Eſau his teares were ſhed to no purpoſe: and in hell there will be weeping and wailing, but becauſe there is no ſowing, no good comes of it. It is onelyonly the pretious ſeed (in verſ. 6.) that affoords the good ſheaves: and it is required it be godly ſorrow, 2 Cor. 7.9.that we mourn for the abſence of the Bridegroome, and that we faint not when we ſow, Gal. 6.9.neither in faith nor obedience. In due time yee ſhall reap, if yee faint not. It were unreaſonable to ſow in September and look to reap in October. No, ſtay till the monethmonth of harveſt, and then ſee what bleſſing God will give: The husband-man hath patience, &c. Jam. 5.7.
2. Of the joy that is to be reaped, here put for the whole happineſſe of a Chriſtian, as a Chriſtian, both here & hereafter, according the Grecian ſalutation, foreign, They joy before thee, Iſai. 9.3according to the joy of harveſt. In this life a Chriſtian hath the beginning & firſt fruits of the Spirit, peace, joy, quietneſſe, aſſurance for ever. In Chriſt he ſhall have peace: by the Ordinances comfort is to be had; and the afflictions would be too ſharp and heavie, if there were not ſome mixture of joy. But in the world to come we ſhall have joy to the full: what is wanting now, ſhall he ſupplied then to the uttermoſt. This rich harveſt will pay for all the coſt, and labour, and patience; good meaſure, preſſed downe, and running over.
3. Of the reaping of that joy, firſt it ſhall be certaine, which no husband-man can promiſe to himſelfe: a Chriſtian is ſure to reape if he ſow. All the promiſes of God are Yea and Amen. 2 Cor. 1.20.Secondly, it ſhall be abundant, not an hundred for one; but a thouſand, yea, millions of degrees beyond our expences, a farre more exceeding, 4.17.and eternall weight of glory. But many a poore husband-man reapes ſparingly, ſcarce can pay his rent and live, &c. Thirdly, it ſhall be in joy onelyonly, all teares for ever wiped from our eyes; no chaffe among our wheat, no darnell, nor weeds of any kinde. The joy of this harveſt is never done, the barns never emptied, the proviſions never ſpent, the labours no more repeated. It is no proverb for theſe husband-men, Their worke is never at an end: No, they reſt from their labours, and their workes follow them: henceforth they are bleſſed, Rev. 14.13.
Sorrowfull ſeed-time breeds Chriſtians a joyfull harveſt.Doctr. The ſorrowfull ſeed-time of true Chriſtians (in the exerciſes of humiliation and mortification) yeelds them a rich & ioyful harveſt. They ſhall be paid for all ſooner or later. They ſow in righteouſneſſe, and reape in mercy, Hoſ. 10.12. they have their fruit unto holineſſe, and the end everlaſting life, Rom. 6.22.
Reaſ. 1. Becauſe of the promiſe of God.And why? This in the Text is uttered by way of promiſe; and there be many the like promiſes in Scripture, which for the matter of them are precious, for the manner free, for the extent univerſall, and for certainty moſt faithfull, confirmed divers wayes, by oath, &c.
2. Becauſe they are heires of bleſsing, the Iſrael of God, partakers of the heavenly calling and promiſe. Deſtroy not the cluſter, for there is a bleſsing in it, Eſa. 65.8, 9. They are as an Oke, whoſe ſubſtance is in them, though the leaves be caſt, Chap. 6.13. namely, in and by Chriſt, who makes them honourable before God, and capable of a ſound and laſting joy.
3. Becauſe of the precious ſeed which they beare forth, and muſt bring home againe in the harveſt. The ſeed of God abideth in them, 1 Joh. 3.9.and they ſinne not as the wicked doe: that is,Rom. 11.29. the gifts and graces of the holy Ghoſt, which are without repentance, of an immortall being, and immortall in the effect, 1 Pet. 1.23, 24, 25.
4. The very field wherein they ſow, is ioyous and wholſome: I meane, the duties they performe, and ordinances they frequent. Prayer yeelds a comfortable anſwer of God to the ſoule: The Lords Supper affords much ioy and peace of conſcience: hearing receives the glad tydings of the Goſpel, &c. In the field lyeth a treaſure, he that buyes it, goes away rejoycing.
5. The ſhedding of theſe teares preventeth the matter of future ſorrow: namely, the curſe of ſinne, the wrath of God, the deadneſſe of heart, the reigne of luſts, the ſting and feare of death, the bitterneſſe of perſecution. Having mourned before, and kept even with God from time to time, there is the leſſe ſorrow now to be taken. Is not the guiltineſſe gone? and a ſure foundation laid for comfort?
6. As the cauſes of ſorrow are removed, ſo the Chriſtian by mourning makes ſure to his ſoule all the cauſes of true joy:Cauſes of true joy aſſured by mourning. which are, the love of God, a part in Chriſt, inhabitation of the Spirit the great Comforter, the white ſtone and new name, the image of God in the ſoule, the teſtimony of a good conſcience, intereſt in the prayers of all Gods people, a ſanctified and ſafe uſe of all mercies, and afflictions, joyfull and aſſured expectation of the glory of heaven, Rom. 5.1, 2, 3. Grant the full and the immediate cauſe, and the effect will follow.
Objection. What ſay you to the caſe of deſertion?
Anſw. It is one day of the ſorrowfull ſeed-time; the harveſt comes afterward, and the Eclipſe will ſoone be over: in darkeneſſe the Lord ſhall bee a light unto me, Mic. 7.8. Some lightſome paſſages there are in the meane time.Sharpe Preachers make you gainers.
Uſe. 1. If ſo, then by our ſharpeſt preaching you receive damage by us in nothing; we make ſome weepe and take on for their ſinnes, we wring teares from them: wee take them off from their pleaſures of ſinne, which are for a moment. But while you are ſet a ſowing in teares, you are ſet into the right way of reaping in joy. We give you the beſt counſell that can be given, and little deſerve that outcry that is made againſt us; Oh this is bitter preaching, this man ſpeakes not in love, he would make us all deſpaire, I thinke: and, Should not a Miniſter come with the ſpirit of meekneſſe? Yes, but not meekeneſſe oppoſed to zeale: meekeneſſe to the bruiſed reed, or broken heart; to others, ſharpneſſe. A corroſive for ſome is wholſomeſt, ſome patients need lancing: and all is well, that ends well. If our preaching bring you to an harveſt of joy, no matter though it compelled you to ſow in teares. And, what wiſe man will thinke his eſtate either ſo holy, or ſo ſafe, as to reject teares for a womaniſh paſſion?
Uſe. 2. If ſo,Enemies help the joy of true Chriſtians. then it is a bootleſſe thing to goe about to grieve or diſquiet a godly Chriſtian. Thou makeſt him cry perhaps; but to whom? is it not to his father in ſecret, who will put all his teares into his bottle? and is there not a rich crop ariſing out of this ſad and dripping ſeed-time? A ridiculous conceit, to thinke of drowning a fiſh in a faire and pleaſant river, it his owne element, he is where he would bee. Ridiculous alſo it is, to attempt the making a true Chriſtian unhappy, or weary of his eſtate: for, even out of darkneſſe ariſeth light to him, out of teares joy, one contrary out of another: the omnipotent grace of God who promiſed, will alſo doe it. Indeed for carnall men, you may ſo ſet them on weeping, that they may dye upon it:2 Cor. 7.10. Worldly ſorrow cauſeth death: But with the godly it is not ſo: God will ever hold them up by the chinne, and lead them through all their waves to a ſafe and joyfull harbour. Well may Julian and his fellowes mocke at this doctrine, and tauntingly heape up more indignities upon the Saints; but God will bleſſe them the more for their curſing: ſtay but till the appointed weekes of harveſt, you ſhall ſee what it is to ſow in teares.
Eſteeme none by preſent grievances.Uſe. 3. If ſo, then iudge not the ſtate of whole Churches, or particular members, by preſent afflictions: thinke them not preſently miſerable, after the ſeed is caſt into the ground; it abides many a cold blaſt before harveſt come.1 Cor. 15.36. It is not quickned, except it dye, much leſſe multiplied: in July or Auguſt you will ſee what is become of your Wheat and Rye. In the day of judgement at fartheſt, you will ſee the reward of true worſhippers, & what confuſion wil befall Papiſts, Athieſts, ſcoffers, hypocrites, idolaters, ſuperſtitious fooles, perſecutors. Then yee ſhall returne and ſee a difference, Mal 3.18. Now there is a difference, but then it will appeare: now the iudgement of God is according to truth; but that is a day of the declaration of the righteous judgement of God.Rom. 2.5. Sow ſtill, though in teares.
Uſe. 4. To urge perſeverance in the good wayes of God, notwithſtanding diſcouragements, What if thou ſoweſt in teares to God and righteouſneſſe? what if the whole ſeaſon prove a cold, wet, bluſtering time, as the poore husband-man ſometime findeth it? What if ſcarce a day goe over thy head, but thou either weepeſt, or ſigheſt, or meeteſt ſome bitterneſſe in thy life? yet is this an hopefull weeping; there is an harveſt comming, to make amends for all: None ſhall abide with Chriſt in temptation, Luk. 22.28, 29but Chriſt will appoint a Crowne unto him: And, as the mother goes through all her hard labour comfortably, in hope of a childe to bee borne, ſo muſt the Diſciples of CHRIST through all tribulations, Joh. 16.20, 21, 22. Faint not therefore, that yee may reape in due time; Be ſtrong in the grace of Chriſt, Feare not:Rev. 2.10. Bee thou faithfull unto the death, and I will give thee a Crowne of life. Theſe are evill times for the diſcouraging of zeale and piety; but remember this Text, They that ſow in teares, ſhall reape in joy.
Uſe 5.Be patient in ſuffering for God. A ground of patience in all ſuffering according to the will of God, eſpecially for the cauſe, the ſervice, the faith, the truth of God. Seed caſt into the earth is not caſt away, nor loſt, but will be improved to good advantage: The husband-man willingly endures that coſt, & adventures all to the bleſſing of God: And ſuch is thy ſickneſſe, poverty, trouble in the world, & other calamitie, when thou haſt made a good uſe of it: A little patience will make thee gainer thirty fold, ſixty, an hundred, a thouſand fold more, if religion be the cauſe of thy trouble. The Martyrs ſowed in teares, but becauſe they carried forth precious ſeed, they brought their ſheaves backe with joy, ſinging in the priſons and flames, triumphing over their perſecutors, finding no eaſe to their mindes till they had recanted their recantations: Loſing their lives, they ſaved them: ſowing to the ſpirit liberally, they reaped life and immortality.
Comfort in death, our own or friends.6. A ground of comfort againſt death, both our owne and our friends. Death is a kinde of ſowing, though in weakneſſe, mortality, and diſhonour, 1 Cor. 15.36. Many teares are ſhed at the parting of friends, of husband and wife, of parents and children,Joh. 18.14. of Paſtors and people. Death is the King of terrors, it hath a ſting and bitterneſſe: but where Chriſt comes, not only the ſting is taken forth, but the nature of it is altered, & there is a joyfull reſurrection, as a joyfull harveſt, to make the body riſe in honour, in power, in livelineſſe, and immortality, though ſowne a weak and contemptible body. Chriſtianity therefore here muſt command moderation to our mourning. Teares are naturall expreſſions of love and compaſſion:foreign. and good men (they ſay) are eaſily diſsolved into teares. But ſeeing religion tells of reaping in joy, our hearts muſt thereby be fenced againſt immoderateneſſe of grieving.
Be paineful in thy calling.7. If ſo, let every one follow his particular calling painfully and faithfully, though with teares: Miniſters in ſowing the ſeed of eternall life in the hearts of their people: Rich men in ſowing upon the waters, or obiects where they are never likely to finde their ſeed againe, 2 Cor. 9.6. and poore men in praying abundantly for their Benefactors, for their Preachers, for their neighbours, for the peace of Sion: prayer is as ſeed caſt into heaven, and therefore muſt needs be fruitfull: Therefore, though praying, preaching, governing, ordering of the family, & other duties, be a ſowing in teares, accompanied with many difficulties, thankleſſe offices many times, yet hold not thine hand morning nor evening; obſerve not the winde nor raine; he that doth ſhall neither ſow nor reap in comfort, Eccleſ. 11.4.
8. A motive it is to beginning and renewing our repentance.Encouragement to repent of ſinne.
Firſt, feare not the harſhneſſe of turning to God: Say not, a Lyon is in the way, a Beare will meete me in the ſtreets; ſome trouble there is, but ſoone to be overtaken with peace and joy: trouble, but with promiſe: trouble, but nothing to the trouble and miſery which impenitent perſons reſerve themſelves unto. No ſowing in teares, no reaping in joy. A lazie husband-man, that flyes winde and weather, muſt looke for no crop in harveſt: nor a lazie Chriſtian.
2. Be willing ſtill to renew your repentance,And to renew our repentance. ſpecially before the Sacrament; this hath abundance of joy in it: this bread ſtrengthens mans heart, and this wine makes it glad, as Pſal. 104.15. this feaſt of fat and ſweet things will in preſent make us reap in much joy, though nothing to that which remaines for hereafter. Preſently faith is ſtrengthened, and the Joy of faith increaſed withall, and the Chriſtian that hath gone worthily, ſhall walke in the ſtrength of that banket holily and comfortably for many dayes afterward. Therefore what if you ſow a little in teares before-hand, whileſt you examine your eſtate, be waile your unworthineſſe, confeſſe your ſins, ſue for peace with God, and to lay hold on eternall life? What if due preparation coſt you well the ſetting on? endure all in hope of the harveſt.
My brethren be awakened from ſecurity: you finde your evidences for heaven ſomewhat muddy, and that you had need renew your covenant with God, and Oh that you could get the old feelings, and the comforts that ſometimes you had! To do that, renew your repentance; ſow a little more, though in teares; digeſt all well, becauſe you do all in hope, and with a promiſe, that they who ſow in teares, ſhall reap in joy.
FINIS.
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End of the text · Thomas Hooker, The Souls Implantation into the Natural Olive (1640)