The Husbandmans Companion, Meditation 4
Ʋpon a barren plat of ground.
4. Med.
WHen I perceived one plot in my garden fruitful, and another barren, and obſerved the difference between the one and the other, how lovely, how amiable, how pleaſant the fruitful plat ſeemed to me, how freſh and fragrant, how green and ardent it was, how it was diapred with various coloured flowers, beautiful and lovely: and how lothſome, unſeemly and unhandſome the other lookt, where nothing appeared but briars and thorns, weeds and thiſtles, with ſtones and rubbiſh, which was a fit receptacle for toads and ſerpents, and other venemous vermine; I began to conſider it was yet poſſible to reduce this plot into a better form, and turn it to a better uſe: And hereupon I cauſed the rubbiſh to be ſtockt up, the weeds to be pluckt up, and the ſtones pickt out, and after I digged and manured it, and had an effect anſwerable to my expectation; for when it was ſown with better ſeed, it brought forth better fruit: The unlovelineſſe of this plot when overgrown with weeds and rubbiſh, produced this following Meditation: I thought it lively repreſented a heart barren of grace and goodneſſe, but fruitfull of briars and thorns, ſin and wickedneſſe, which is more odious to God then this plot was to me, and yet how lovely a fruit bearing Chriſtian is in his eye, the one is like a loathſome muck-heap which ſtinks, the other like a watered garden that yields a ſweet favour, like a garden of ſpices, Cant. 4.14. the one brings forth fruit for Gods basket, the other fewell for the devils fire; all the ſeed ſown upon it is loſt, and choakt with briars and thorns, and all the rain that falls upon it doth but make the weeds more rank and flouriſhing: their grape is the grape of Sodom, and of the fields of Gomorrah, their grapes are grapes of gall, and the cluſters are bitter, Deut. 32.32. they hatch cockatrice eggs, and weave the ſpiders webs; vanity or villany is their trade, Heb. 6.7, 8. the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh off upon it, and bringeth forth hearbs meet for them by whom it is dreſsed, receiveth a bleſſing from God, but that which beareth thorns and briars is rejected, and is nigh unto curſing, whoſe end is to be burned. The fruitful Chriſtian watered with the word and ſpirit, bringing fortth a harveſt of holineſs; and fruit-trees fit for meat, were not to be deſtroyed, Deut. 20.14. but fruitleſs trees are for the fire, Mat. 3 10. But oh how much of this ſterile barren ground is amongſt us? that reſiſt all the offered means of their recovery, and rave and rage againſt both the phyſitian and the phyſick; and though often watered, bring forth nothing but briars and thorns, whereupon all the ſeed, and all the rain that falls upon it is loſt: and when God expects fruit, behold wilde fruit; and yet this wilde and barren ground, if well manured, and God breathe upon it, may prove good land: this conſideration made me with the ſervant in the Goſpel cry out, Lord, ſpare them one year more, that I may dig about them, and dung them, that it may not be my fault that they periſh, nor laid to my charge: oh my ſoul! art not thou this barren plot, where nothing but briars and brambles can thrive, or at leaſt wiſe but little good fruit appear? God hath done much for thee, hedged thee about by his providence, watered thee with the dew of heaven; ſent many of his ſervants to manure thee; whence then this traſh and rubbiſh? whence then theſe tares and weeds? was not good ſeed ſown? why haſt thou not anſwered the great Husbandmans expectation? what could God have done more for his Vineyard, then he hath done for thee? well, look to it, if thou remain fruitleſs, ere long he will pluck up thy hedge, pluck down thy wall, take away thy fence, and leave caring for thee, and turn in the wilde boar to devour; he will lay down his baſket, and take up his axe; Oh the patience of a patient God! that hath born with thee for many years, but will ere long, if thou remain fruitleſs, pronounce the ſentence, cut him down, why cumbreth he the ground; and if this be the danger of barren ſouls, do what in thee lies to make others fruitfull alſo: hereby (ſaith Chriſt) is my father glorified if ye bring forth much fruit: Oh my God! Paul may plant, and Apollo may water, but thou giveſt the encreaſe, 1 Cor. 3.6. The harp yeelds no ſound till touched by the hand of the Muſician, and my heart will never be made good till thou ſtrikeſt the ſtroak: 'tis God alone muſt ſay to dry bones, live; man can but ſpeak to the ear, but God ſpeaks to the heart; Lord ſpeak home to my heart, and the work will be done; If means and ordinances would have ſerved turn, the work ere now would have been effected: Lord, leave me not to other husbandmen, for they cannot make me fruitfull; Oh be thou my Gardiner, and my ſoul ſhall flouriſh; blow upon thy ſpices, and they will ſend forth a ſweet ſavour.