Sermons, Sermon 13
SERMON, XIII.
Matth. XIII. 3. And he spake many things unto them in Parables, saying, Behold a Sower went forth to sow, &c.
THE rich bounty of God hath furnisht our Natural Life, not barely for strict necessity, but with great abundance, many kinds of Beasts, and Fowls, and Fishes, and Herbs, and Fruits, has he provided for the use of man. Thus our Spiritual Life likewise is supported with a variety; the Word, the food of it, hath not only all necessary Truths once simply set down, but a great variety of Doctrine, for our more abundant Instruction and Consolation. Amongst the rest, this way of Similitudes hath a notable commixture of profit and delight.
Parables not unfolded and understood, are a Veil as here to the multitude, and in that are a great Judgment, as Isa. 6. 9. cited here, but when cleared and made transparent, then they are a Glass to behold Divine things in, more commodiously and suitably to our way; all things are big with such resemblances, but they require the dexterous hand of an active Spirit to bring them forth. This way, besides other advantages, is much grac'd and commended by our Saviours frequent use of it.
That here fitted to the occasion; multitudes coming to hear him, and many not a whit the better: He instructs us in this point, the great difference between the different hearts of men; so that the same Word hath very different success in them.
In this Parable we shall consider these three things: (1) The Nature of the Word in it self. (2) The sameness and commonness of the dispensation. (3) The difference of the operation and production.
The word Seed, hath in it a productive Vertue to bring forth Fruit according to its kind; that the Fruit a new life; not only a new habitude and fashion of life without, but a new nature, a new kind of life within, new thoughts, a new estimate of things, new delights and actions. When the Word reveals God, his greatness and holiness, then it begets pious fear and reverence, and study of conformity to him; when it reveals his goodness and mercy, it works love and confidence; when it holds up in our view Christ Crucified, it Crucifies the Soul to the World, and the World to it; when it represents these rich things laid up for us, that blest Inheritance of the Saints, then it makes all the lustre of this World vanish, shews how poor it is, weans and calls off the heart from them, raising it to these higher hopes, and sets it on the project of a Crown; and so is a Seed of noble thoughts, and of a suitable behaviour in a Christian, as in the Exposition of this Parable, 'tis called the Word of the Kingdom.
Seed, an Immortal Seed, as St. Peter calls it, springing up to no less than an Eternal Life.
This teaches us, 1st. highly to esteem the great goodness of God to these places and times, that were most blest with it. Psal. 147. 19, 20. He sheweth his Word unto Jacob, his Statutes and his Judgment unto Israel; he hath not dealt so with any Nation, and as for his Judgments they have not known them.
2. That the same dispensation is to be Preach'd indifferently to all where it comes, as far as the sound can reach. And thus it was very much extended in the first promulgating of the Gospel; their sound went out through all the earth, as the Apostle allusively applies that of the Psalmist.
3. This teaches also Ministers, liberally to sow this Seed at all times, according to that, Eccl. 11. 6. In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand, &c. Praying earnestly to him, that is, the Lord, not only of the Harvest, but of the Seed time, and of this Seed to make it fruitful; this is his peculiar work. So the Apostle acknowledges, 1 Cor. 3. 6. I have planted, Apollo's watered, but God gave the increase.
4. Hence we also learn, the success to be very different. This is most evident in men; one cast into the mould and fashion of the Word, and so moulded and fashioned by it; another no whit changed; one heart melting before it, another still hardned under it.
So then, this is not all, to have the Word and hear it, as if that would serve turn, and save us (as we commonly fancy) The Temple of the Lord, The Temple of the Lord: Multitudes under the continual sound of the Word, yet remain lifeless and fruitless, and die in their sins, therefore we must enquire, and examine strictly, what becomes of it, how it works, what it brings forth? and for this very end, this Parable declares so many a…e fruitless. We need not press them, they are three to one here; yea, that were too narrow, the odds is far greater, for these are but the kinds of unfruitful grounds, and under each of these huge multitudes of individuals, so that there may be a hundred to one, and it is to be feared, in many Congregations, it is more than so.
Whence is then the difference? Not from the Seed, that is the same to all; not from the Sower neither, for though these be divers, and of different abilites, yet it hangs little or nothing on that. Indeed, he is the fittest to Preach that is himself most like his Message, and comes forth not only with a handful of this Seed in his hand, but with store of it in his heart, the Word dwelling richly in him; yet howsoever, the Seed he sows, being this Word of Life, depends not on his qualifications in any kind, either of common Gifts, or special Grace. People mistake this much, and it is a carnal conceit to hang on the advantages of the Minister, or to eye that much, the sure way is to look up to God, and to look into thine own heart; an unchang'd unsoftned heart, as an evil Soil, disappoints the Fruit. What though sowen by a weak hand, yea, possibly a foul one, yet if received in a clean and honest heart, it will fructifie much. There is in the World a needless and prejudicial differencing of men, out of which people will not come for all we can say.
The first bad ground is a High-way. Now we have a Commentary here, whence we may not, nor will not depart, it is authentick and full. Ver. 19. They that understand not, gross brutish Spirits, that perceive not what is said, are as if they were not there, sit like Blocks, one Log of Wood upon another, as he said. This is our Brutish multitude, what pity isLapi… super Lapidem in Theatro. it to see so many, such as have not so much as a natural apprehension of Spiritual Truths? The common Road of all Passengers, of all kind of foolish brutish thoughts, seeking nothing but how to live, and yet know not to what end, have no design, trivial, High-way hearts, all tentations pass at their pleasure, prophane as Esau, which some Criticks draw from a word signifying the threshold, the outer step that every foul foot treads on.
These retain nothing, there is no hazard of that, and yet the Enemy of Souls, to make all sure, lest peradventure some word might take root unawares, some Grain of this Seed, he is busie to pick it away; to take them off from all reflexion, all serious thoughts, or the remembrance of any thing spoken to them. And if any common word is remembred, yet it doth no good, for that is trodden down as the rest, though the most is pickt up, because it lies on the Road. So exprest by St. Mark 4. 4.
The second is Stony ground. Hard hearts, not softned and made penetrable, to receive in deeply this ingrafted word with meekness, with humble yieldance and submission to it, the Rocks, yet in these there is often some receiving of it, and a little slender moisture above them, which the warm air, may make spring up a little; they receive with Joy, have a little present delight in it, are moved and taken with the Sermon, possibly to the shedding of some tears, but the misery is, there is a want of depth of Earth; it sinks not.
No wonder if there is some present delight in these, therefore the Word of the Kingdom, especially if skilfully and sensibly delivered, by some more able Speaker. Let it be but a fancy, yet it is a fine pleasant one, such love as the Son of God to die for Sinners, such a rich purchase made as a Kingdom, the Word of the Kingdom, such Glory and Sweetness, therefore the description of the new Jerusalem, Apoc. 21. Suppose it be but a Dream, or one of the Visions of the Night, yet 'tis passing fine; it must needs please a mind that heeds what is said of it. There is a natural delight in Spiritual things, and thus the word of the Prophet, as the Lord tells him, was as a Minstrels voice, a fine Song so long as it lasts, but dies out in the air; it may be, the relish and air of it will remain a while in the Imagination, but not long, even that wears out, and is forgot. So here it is heard with Joy, and some is springing up presently, they commend it, and it may be, repeat some passages, yea, possibly desire to be like it, to have such and such Graces as are recommended, and upon that think they have them, are presently good Christians in their own conceit, and to appearance some change is wrought, and it appears to be all that it is, but it is not deep enough, they talk possibly too much, more than those whose hearts receive it more deeply; there it lies hid longer, and little is heard of it. Others may think it is lost, and possibly themselves do not perceive that it is there, they are exercised and humbled at it, and find no good in their own hearts; yet there it is hid, as David says, Thy Word have I hid in my heart. And as Seed in a manner dies in a silent smothering way, yet it is in order to the fructifying, and to the reviving of it, it will spring up in time, and be fruitful in its season; with patience, as St. Luke hath it, of the good ground; not so suddenly, but much more surely and solidly.
But the most are presentany Mushrome Christians, soon ripe, soon rotten, the Seed goes never deep, it springs up indeed, but any thing blasts and withers it; little root in some, if Trials arise, either the heat of Persecution without, or a Tentation within; this sudden Spring seed can stand before neither.
Oh Rocky hearts! How shallow, shallow, are the Impressions of Divine things upon you? Religion goes never farther than the upper surface of your hearts, few deep thoughts of God, and of Jesus Christ, and the things of the World to come, all are but slight and transient glances.
The third is Thorny-ground. This relates to the Cares and Pleasures, and all the Interests of this Life. See St. Mark 4. 1. and St. Luke 8. 5. All these together are the Thorns, and these grow in hearts that do more deeply receive the Seed, and send it forth, and spring up more hopefully than either of the other two, and yet choak it. Oh! the pity.
Many are thus almost at Heaven, so much desire of Renovation, and some endeavours after it, and yet the Thorns prevail. Miserable Thorns! The base things of a perishing life drawing away the strength of affections, sucking the sap of the Soul. Our other Seed and Harvest, our Corn and Hay, our Shops and Ships, our Tradings and Bargains, our Suits and Pretensions for Places and Employments of Gain or Credit, Husband, and Wife, and Children, and House, and Train, our Feastings and Entertainments, and other Pleasures of Sense, our Civilities and Complements; and a world of those in all the World are these Thorns, and they overspread all. The lust of the eye, the lust of the flesh, and the pride of life.
And for how long is all the advantage and and delight of these? Alas! that so poor things should prejudice us of the rich and blessed increase of this Divine Seed.
The last is good Ground. A good and honest heart; not much fineness here, not many questions and disputes, but honest simplicity, sweet sincerity, that is all, a humble single desire to eye, and to do the will of God, and this from love to himself. This makes the Soul abound in the fruits of Holiness, receiving the Word as the ground of it; different degrees are indeed, some thirty, some sixty, and some an hundred fold, yet the lowest aiming at the highest, not resting satisfy'd; yet growing more fruitful, if thirty last year, desiring to bring forth sixty this.
This is the great point, we ought to examine it, for much is sowen and little brought forth; our God hath done much for us, what more could be done? Yet when Grapes were expected, wild Grapes produced, what becomes of all? Who grow to be more spiritual, more humble and meek, more like Christ, more self-denying, fuller of love to God, and one to another? Some, but alas! few. All the Land is sowen, and that plentifully, with the good Seed: But what comes for the most pa…t? Cockle and no Grain. In felix lolium.
We would do all other things to purpose, and not willingly lose our end; not Trade and gain nothing; buy and sell, and live by the loss; not plow and sow, and reap nothing. How sensible do we feel one ill year, and shall this alone be lost Labour, that well improv'd were worth all the rest? Oh! how much more worth than all? Shall we only do the greatest business to the least purpose? Bethink your selves, what do we here? why come we here? if we still remain as proud and passionate, and as self-will'd as before, what will all great Bargains, and good Years, and full Barns, avail within a while? That word, Thou Fool, this night shall they fetch away thy Soul, how terrible will it be?
We think we are wise in not losing our labour in other things? why, 'tis all lost, even where most gained. What amounts it to: Cast up: Vanity and vexation of Spirit is the total sum; and in all our projecting and bussling, what do we but sow the Wind, and reap the Whirl-wind? Sow Vanity, and reap Vexation?
This Seed alone being fruitful, makes rich and happy, springs up to eternal life▪ Oh that we were wise, and that we would at length learn to hear every Sermon as on the utmost edge of time, at the very brink of Eternity, for any thing we know for our selves, or any of us may be really so; however, it is wise and safe to do as if it were so. Will you be perswaded of this? It were a happy Sermon if it could prevail, for the more fruitful hearing of all the rest henceforward: we have lost too much of our little time; and thus, with the Apostle, I beseech you, I beseech you, receive not the grace of God in vain.
Now that you may be fruitful, examine well your own hearts, pluck up, weed out, for there are still Thorns, some will grow, but he is the happiest man that hath the sharpest eye, and the busiest hand, spying them out, and plucking them up. Take heed how you hear, think it not so easie a matter. Plow up, and sow not among Thorns, Jeremiah 4.
And above all Pray, Pray before, after, and in hearing, dart up desires to God, he is the Lord of the Harvest, whose influence doth all; the difference of the Soil makes indeed the difference of success, but the Lord hath the priviledge of bettering the Soil. He that framed the heart, changes it when and how he will. There is a curse on all grounds naturally, that fell on the Earth for mans sake, but fell more on the ground of mans own heart within him: Thorns and Briars shalt thou bring forth. Now 'tis he that denounc'd that Curse, that alone hath power to remove it, he is both the Soveraign owner of the Seed, and changer of the Soil, turns a Wilderness into Carmel by his Spirit; and no ground, no heart, can be good till he change it.
And being changed, much care must be had still of manuring, for still that is in it, that will bring forth many Weeds; is a Mother to them, and but a Step-mother to this Seed. Therefore
Consider it, if you think this concerns you; …e that hath an ear to hear, as our Saviour closes, let him hear. The Lord apply your hearts to this work, and though discouragements arise without, or within, and little present Fruit appear; but Corruption is rather stronger and greater, yet watch and pray, wait on, it shall be better, this Fruit is to be brought forth with patience, as St: Luke hath it. And this Seed, this Word, the Lord calls by that very name, the very Word of his patience; keep it, hide it in thy heart, and in due time it shall spring up. And this patience shall be put to it but for a little while, the day of Harvest is at hand, when all in any measure fruitful in Grace, shall be gathered into Glory.