The Husbandmans Companion, Meditation 81
Ʋpon an old, yet fruitful tree.
81. Med.
WHen I ſaw an old tree that promiſed little yet was richly laden, and had not only more fruit, then thoſe that were younger, and made a greater ſhew, but the fruit was better alſo, it exceeded not only in quantity but alſo in quality, the other trees; this Obſervation made me think this tree reſembled much an old Chriſtian, an ancient profeſſor, that uſually bears more and better fruit then the younger ſort, their judgements being ripened and mellowed by their experiences, and uſually they are not ſo tart and ſowr, ſo ſenſorious and ſelf-wilde, as the younger are, who are apt to condemn all that are not juſt of their judgements, though otherwiſe they hold forth as much of Chriſt and a Goſpel converſation as they do themſelves; This Conſideration brought to my minde what the Pſalmiſt ſaith of ſuch, 92. Pſal. 12, 13, 14. the righteous ſhall flouriſh like a palm tree, he ſhall grow like a Cedar in Lebanon, thoſe that be planted in the houſe of the Lord ſhall flouriſh in the courts of our God, they ſhall ſtill bring forth fruit in old age, they ſhall be fat and flouriſhing: thoſe that draw ſap from Chriſt, and are grafted into him, muſt need bud and bloom and bring forth fruit: theſe are the trees planted by the rivers of water, that bring forth their fruit in their ſeaſon, Pſal. 1.3. for as ancient men, ſo eſpecially ancient Chriſtians have their judgement ripened by their experience, and mellowed by time, others may be, and uſually are more heady, raſh and ſenſorious, and have a more hot, and burning zeal, but it is not according to knowledge; now zeal without knowledge (as one ſaith) is like mettle in a blinde horſe, which ofttimes ſerves but to break his own or the riders neck, their zeal is like that of the Apoſtles, James and John, Luk. 9.54. who would have called for fire from heaven to conſume the inhoſpitable Samaritans, as Elijah did, but this wilde fire was never kindled on Gods hearth, as Elijahs was; this became not a goſpel frame of ſpirit; but this younger fruit is not ſo pleaſant to the taſte; we may ſay of this, as Chriſt ſpeaks of wine, Luk. 5.39. no man having drunk old wine, preſently deſireth new, for (ſaith he) the old is better; Now as age clarifies wine and ripens it, ſo doth experience ripen mens judgements, young profeſſors make a great noiſe, and a great ſhew in the world, they bud and bloom, and many of them bring forth fruit, yet is not their fruit ſo pleaſant till it be ripened by age, and mellowed by experience; they are more heady (as I ſaid) and ſenſorious, and apt to condemn thoſe that cannot ſee with their eyes, that differ from them, though it be in circumſtantials and things of ſmall concerns; yea perhaps diſrobe them of their graces, as if their hearts liks Jehu's were the touchſtone of ſincerity, and their judgement the touchſtone of truth; but ancient Chriſtians have learnt Chriſt better, and ſtudied their own hearts more, and will yield a grain of allowance to others, as knowing they need it themſelves, and where they ſee the vitals of Religion preſerved, they will reach out the right hand of fellowſhip, though it be to men of a contrary perſwaſion in leſſer matters; yea, they will love thoſe better, and value them more then they do thoſe of their own perſwaſion, where they cannot ſee ſuch evident ſignes of grace, but many times in young profeſſors a little difference about circumſtantialls caſts ſuch a miſt before their eyes, that they cannot ſee any grace at all in their antagoniſts: a grown Chriſtian owns Chriſt whereever he ſees him, yea, though it be in one that hath wronged him, and he verily thinks hates him, or though it be in one that ſtands in his light, or in his way to preferment; there is honourable mention made of an old diſciple, Acts. 21.16. a gray-headed experienced Chriſtian, a father, 1 Joh. 2.13. you are they (ſaith Chriſt) that have continued with me, and I appoint unto you a kingdome as my father hath appointed unto me, Luk. 22.28.29. God will reward thoſe that are ancient ſervants eſpecially: Age ſhould ſpeak (ſaith Elihu) and multitude of years ſhould ſhew wiſdome, Job. 32.7. It was a duty commanded by God, and yet is incumbent upon us, to riſe up before the hoary head, and honour the face of the old man, Lev. 19.32. but then much more an old Chriſtian, the hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteouſneſs, Pro. 16.31. Naturaliſts obſerve the herb Cudweed which the Herbaliſts call herbam impiam, whoſe younger branches ſtill yeeld flowers to overtop the elder, ſuch weeds grow too riſe among us, but it is an ill ſoil that produceth them: Rehoboam neglecting the milder and ſafer counſel of his grave Senators, and following the harſher counſel of green wits, ruined himſelf, and loſt ten of the twelve tribes, who revolted from him; we ſeldome finde an antient profeſſor apoſtatize or run into errours or hereſy, but it is too frequently ſeen in younger men, there are many take up Religion ſuddenly, and in a few weeks are above their teachers, yea, above all the Miniſters in the Countrey, and ſome of them get above Ordinances, yea, run the whole circle of errors, till they end in Athieſm or profaneſs, the place where they ſet out: the devil deals by them as Eliſha did by the Syrians, 2 King. 6.19. he brings them to Samaria when they thought they had been going to Dothan: he leads them to hell, and perſwades them it is the neareſt way to heaven: oh my ſoul, let not the devil thus deceive thee, but ask advice of the wiſeſt counſellors; own Chriſt whereever thou ſeeſt him, and make not thy own judgement the teſt to try all other mens, nor with Jehu thine own heart the touchſtone to try others: judge the tree by the fruit, not by the leaves, and profeſſors not by their words, but by their works; grow in grace, as thou groweſt in years, ſo maiſt thou be an old diſciple; oh my God, make me fruitful, and let my fruit be pleaſant to thy taſte, and let the laſt be bitterer then the firſt.