A Complete History and Mystery of the Old and New Testament, Part 1 · Chapter 16
CHAP. XVI.
SEing Chriſt's Oracles are intermingled among his Miracles, 'tis not inexpedient to Gloſs upon the Parable of the Sower, Mat. 13. from ver. 1, to 54. Mark 4. from v. 1, to 35. & Luke 8.4, to 19. which follows next in order of Time to Chriſt's caſting out a Devil, and was Blaſphemed for it, &c. Mat. 12. &c. which that Evangeliſt declares to be Preached the ſame day that his Mother and Brethren came to Chriſt, &c. being unwearied in his Work, Mat. 13.1.
The Remarks hereupon are theſe, Firſt, Chriſt is call'd the Palmoni Hamadabber Dan. 8.13. or moſt excellent Speaker. This Prince of Preachers exceedingly aboundeth with this kind of Rhetorick and Oratory, ſpeaking very much in Parables (according to the ſtile and manner of the Jewiſh Nation) quite through the Goſpel. He turns himſelf into all ſorts and faſhions of Speech and Spirit to win Souls to God, eſpecially into Parabolical Dreſſes, which (according to the Hebrew notion, Maſhal a Parable, ſignifying alſo Dominion) hath a moſt powerful prevalency over the minds of men Chryſoſtom calls a Parable [foreign.] an illuſtration and ſetting forth of matter by reſemblances which are mightily inſinuating into the Souls of Men. So that the will of God dreſſed up in a well accommodated Parable comes to our Affections, juſt as Jeroboam's Wife came to the Prophet Ahijah with Cracknels and Honey, but Diſguiſed, 1 Kin. 14.2, 3. thus it comes to us in ſweetneſs of Speech, but vailed, and not eaſie to be known. 'Tis undoubtedly the choiceſt kind of Chymiſtry to Extract Spiritual things out of Temporal, and 'tis the higheſt attainment of Opticks to Repreſent Heavenly Truths in Earthly Glaſſes. A Parable comes from foreign. Comparo, becauſe Divine Things are compared to Worldly, and are ſhadowed out by them, eſpecially by ſuch as are nearer to our Underſtandings, uſual, familiar, and commonly known. Thus our Lord adapted his Parables moſt commodiouſly to the capacities of his Auditors; where they were Fiſhermen, there he gave out the Parable of the Draw-Net; where Merchants, there of the Pearl of Price; and where Husbandmen, there this of the Sower, &c. All ſuitable to his ſeveral Auditories.
The Second Remark is, In this Parable there be four parts. 1. The Sower. 2. The Seed. 3. The Soil. And 4. The Succeſs. All containing much congruity, though there be alſo ſome diſparity betwixt the ſigns and the things ſignified by them, the former be Temporal and Worldly, the latter Spiritual and Heavenly.
As Firſt, the Sower is negatively not Angels be the Seeds-men, for then the excellency of the Power in converting Sinners would be attributed to them, 2 Cor. 4.7. The office of Preaching the Goſpel, and caſting that precious Seed into prepared Soil is taken from the Angels (who firſt Preached it to the Shepherds, Luke 2.10.) and this Honour is given to Goſpel-Miniſters who are (in Scripture) called Angels, Rev. 2.1. &c. As Angels are likewiſe call'd Miniſters, Heb. 1.14. Though an Angel certifies Cornelius that his Prayers were accepted, yet reads he not to him the Doctrine of Redemption, but refers him to Peter, Acts 10.4, 5. The Angels are indeed much affected with the Goſpel that is Preached, 1 Pet. 1.12. N.B. Note well. Oh then let it not be irkſom to men. But poſitively, there is the Sower Principal, to wit, Chriſt and the Inſtrumental, to wit, the Miniſters of Chriſt, &c. The Latter are Fellow-Labourers with the former, 1 Cor. 3.9. In whom there is much congruity with the Sower. As,
Firſt, The Seeds-man knows his own Land, though it lies ſcattered abroad here and there in the wide open Field, and not yet become an Incloſed Garden, or a diſtinct peculiar Incloſure. Poſſibly the owners Name or Land-Mark may be fixed at the ends of his Land. So this principal Sower knows all that are his, 2 Tim. 2.19. both in reſpect of his Electing freely, and of his loving unchangeably. He knows them, John 10 27. with the knowledge of Approbation as well as of Obſervation. Blind Iſaac may be miſtaken in his Children (taking Jacob for Eſau) but Chriſt (who knoweth all things, John 21.17.) cannot commit a miſtake about the habitable parts of his Earth, Prov. 8.31. He knows his own purchaſed Free-hold, which is God's Huſbandry, 1 Cor. 3.9. and the Father is the Husbandman, John 15.1. Thoſe indeed that Deform themſelves with the Spots of Sin, Chriſt is ſaid to Miskenn, ſaying to them I know you not, &c. Mat. 7.23. as if he had ſaid, you are nothing like my Land, nothing like God's Husbandry, whoſe works are Perfect, Deut. 32.4. no, you are the Sluggard's Land whoſe Field is grown over with Thorns and Thiſtles, &c. Prov. 24.31.
The Second Parallel or Congruity is, The Sower prepares his Soil (giving it many Tilths) before he Sow his Seed, thus the Church is call'd God's foreign or Tillage, 1 Cor. 3.9. The word ſignifies a Field wherein the Husbandman laboureth, and ſo the Hebrew word Nir, Jer. 4.3. ſignifies Plowed Land. 'Tis a Metaphore taken from ground that hath laid long Fallow, and therefore, being overgrown with Weeds, is unfit to receive any Seed, which would be but caſt away, if caſt upon it before it be broke up with the Plough whereby the Traſh ſhould be deſtroyed; Thus wicked Courſes are compared to Briars and Thorns (under which the Old Serpent lyeth lurking) Heb. 6.8. As the Litteral Sluggard's Field is over-run with filthy Weeds, ſo is the Spiritual Sluggard's Soul with Helliſh Luſts. Whereas the Heart, prepared with the Plough of the Goſpel (going oft over it) and oft watered with the Word and Spirit of God, brings forth wholeſome and uſeful Herbs, Heb. 6.7. Therefore not to be deſtroyed. God took ſpecial care to preſerve thoſe Trees that brought forth fruit for the Meat of Man, Deut. 20.10. and this Divine care of ſecuring ſuch Plants was not only under the Law there, but alſo under the Goſpel, Mat. 3.10.
The Third Parallel is, A Seeds-man obſerves his Seaſon both when to Sow, and when to Reap, &c. There be Times of ſeeking and finding God, Hoſ. 10.12. and there be ſeaſons of Grace alſo. A Seaſon is that part of time which hath a Beauty and Luſtre on it above all other parts thereof. There were times of Grace (indeed) under the Law, but not properly any ſeaſons of Grace; that priviledge was peculiar to the Goſpel. Chriſt obſerv'd his Seaſons of ſending the Goſpel, Acts 16.6. and of filling it with his Power and Preſence, Luke 5.17. ſee alſo Acts 24.25. & 25.22. & Exod. 19 19. Iſa. 30 18. A ſeaſon is the Accepted Time, &c. 2 Cor. 6.2. as to Zacheus, Luke 19.9.
The Fourth Parallel is, The Sower goeth forth from his Home to his Field, with his Seed-Basket upon his Arm, &c. Therefore 'tis ſaid, Mat. 13.3. Behold a Sower went forth to Sow. Thus the Lord Jeſus left Heaven (his Home) and that Glory which he had with his Father from all Eternity, came into the Field of the World, ver. 38. where he met many a ſtormy blaſt, much contradiction of Sinners he ſuffered, Heb. 12.3. Solomon ſaith, He that obſerves the Wind, ſhall never Sow, Eccleſ. 11.4. Our saviour deſiſts not his Sowing Work, though ſtrong Winds blew in his face, ſuch as were breathed out of the Mouth of the Prince of the Air; yea he ſtops not, ſticks not though there was a Lion in the way, Prov. 22.13. & 26.13. even that Rampant and Roaring Lion (the Devil himſelf) in his way, but goes on in his Work, Though he came to his own and his own received him not, John 1.11. And he ſpent his ſtrength in vain among them, Iſa. 49 4 5. N.B. Note well. The Miniſters of Chriſt ſhould learn from their Maſter Chriſt, not to defer their work in hope of better times, fewer obſtacles, fitter objects or greater opportunities and abilities, &c. When his fulneſs of time came be went forth, &c. And rejoiced to be among the Sons of Men, Prov. 8.30, 31, &c. We muſt admire Him for this, &c.
The Fifth Parallel is, The Sower caſts his Seed out of his Seed-Basket with his Hand, and with the dexterous caſt thereof He gives the Ridge and the Furrow their full and due proportion &c. So Chriſt hath an excellent caſt with his Holy Hand, g…ving the Rich and the Poor their meaſure of Truth, dividing the word aright to every one, 2 Tim. 2.15. Milk to Babes, and ſtronger Meat to ſtronger Men, Heb. 5.12, 13, 14. He marks diligently what every Soul is able to bear. Mark 4.33. John 16.12. as well as to Hear. Thus did his Apoſtle, 1 Cor. 3.1, 2, and thus doth every good Houſholder, Luke 12.42. The Seed of God's Word falls not by common Chance, but by ſpecial Providence, ſo finds out every Elect Soul in whatever by corner ſuch are ſeated; though the Arrows of Divine Truth be ſhot out of the Bow of the Goſpel at Rovers and at Random by Man, yet are they guided by the Almighty Hand of Chriſt to make moſt happy hits upon choſen Hearts, &c.
The Sixth Parallel is, The Judicious Seeds-Man is mighty choice of hís Seed, He muſt have it the beſt of the kind, knowing the hope of a good Harveſt is potentially in the goodneſs of his Seed. He will not Sow Chaff, or Tares, or Darnel, but Hordeum & Triticum Signatum, Iſa. 28.25. the moſt precious and the ſoundeſt grain, &c. So Chriſt ſows not Jewiſh Genealogies, Fables or Fancies, 1 Tim. 1.4. Tit. 3.9. to ſearch into which is but a laborious loſs of time, a mere Trifling, the Task is not worthy the Toil, nor the Gains pay for the Pains; but Precious Seed, Pſal. 126.6. Precious Treaſure though in Oyſter-ſhells, 2 Cor. 4.7. as the Seed-Basket (in it ſelf) is contemptible. …ilis ſaepe cadus nobile, nectar habet. The Seed is the Word of God, foreign, Sincere Milk, 1 Pet. 2.2. The Wiſdom of God, Luke 11.49. The Word of Promiſe, Rom. 9.9. Of Faith, Rom. 10.8. Of Reconciliation, 2 Cor. 5.19. Of his Grace, Act. 14.3. & 20 32. Of Salvation, Acts 13.26. And of Eternal Life, John 6.68. Acts 5.20. Hence Chriſt took it unkindly his Diſciples durſt turn their backs on ſuch precious, Seed, &c. Job prized it highly, Job 23.12. Luther could live better in Hell with it, than in Heaven without it. The Deſpiſers of it, ſhall be deſtroyed, Prov. 13.13. 'tis Self-Murther to refuſe neceſlary and appointed Meals either for Soul or Body. God will Magnifie his Word above all his Name, Pſal. 138.2. This Precious Seed having all theſe Names, muſt be prized, &c.
As there is all this Congruity, ſo ſome Diſparity betwixt them.
Firſt, Every Earthly Sower ſoweth Seed for his own ſubſiſtency in the returns of its Increaſe, &c. But this Heavenly Sower doth not ſo, for our Goodneſs extends not to him, though his Goodneſs extendeth to us, Pſal. 16.2, 3. Job 22.3. 'Tis all for the good of the Soil, but not at all for the good of the Sower, no Man Plants a Vineyard and Eats not thereof, 1 Cor. 9.7. But Chriſt is Perfect, and all his Pains is for our Profit, not His.
Secondly. The Seeds-Man commits his Seed to the Soil, and can do no more, &c. but Chriſt drops down the Dew of Heaven upon his Seed, and gives a Power of fruitfulneſs to it. His Seed is kept by that Power to the Harveſt, 1 Pet. 1.4, 5. as the Glory is kept in Heaven for us, ſo our Grace is kept on Earth for it. There is a double keeping expreſs'd there. From him is all our Fruit found, Hoſ. 14.8. John 15.2, 4▪ 5.
Thirdly, Chriſt is both the Sower and the Seed too, for He is the Eſſential Word, the Eternal Spirit, and the Everlaſting Goſpel. Oh what an Honour it is to have an Honeſt and Good Heart, Luke 8.15. as the moſt proper Soil for ſuch moſt precious Seed, and as the moſt curious Cabinet for this Pearl of Great Price to be kept in. Then is Chriſt formed in us, Gal. 4.19. and the Church is call'd Chriſt Myſtical, 1 Cor. 12.12. Such cannot want ſheaves in their Boſoms, Pſal. 126.6.
Fourthly, A Wet Seaſon is the beſt Seaſon with this Seeds-man, when ſweet ſhowers of Goſpel-Tears diſtil and drop down from a Broken Heart: The Vulgar Rule is, [Set Wet, but Sow Dry] yet Chriſt loves to Sow Wet, better than Dry; though Wet Weather endangers the ſtarving of Grain, yet makes it Grace to thrive and proſper.
Fifthly, Man's Seed-time laſts but for a few days, but Chriſt's doth laſt all the year long, yea in the very time of Humane Harveſts, and when it is an Heavenly Harveſt-time to ſome (who are gathered into God's Garners by Death) 'tis but Seedtime (in a Spiritual ſenſe) with others. Then their time of Love firſt finds them, and they are then begotten to Chriſt by the Goſpel, Ezek. 16.8. Jer. 2.24.
Sixthly, There is a ſowing ſparingly, and a ſowing bountifully (foreign) in bleſſings) 2 Cor. 9.6. the former is that of the Earthly Sower, who muſt feed himſelf upon one part of his Corn, and ſell another part to others for ſuſtaining his Family, ſo can but reſerve a Remnant for ſeed. But Chriſt hath no ſuch need, therefore the latter is his, who ſows bountifully and with a bleſſing.
Ʋſe I. Oh Man, oh Woman, what Husbandry hath this bleſſed Seeds-man made of your Hearts? Examine your experiences hath he broke up your fallow ground where nothing but traſh grew? Hoſ. 10 12. Innovate vobis novale, are you renewed in Speech and Spirit, Epheſ. 4.23. in Minds and Manners, in Conſtitution and Converſation, in the Purpoſe of your Hearts, and in the Practice of your Lives? Hath he turn'd up the Turf, Rooted out the Weeds, Old things paſt, all New, 2 Cor. 5.17. Rev. 21.5. till this be done, all is undone, &c.
Ʋſe II. Take the right ſeaſon for this ſaving ſowing work, Iſa. 55.6. 1 Chron. 12.32. Pſal. 32.6. as Sea faring Men take Wind and Tide, Way faring Men the Day-light, the Smith ſtrikes while his Iron is hot, the Lawyer labours hard while the Term laſts, and the Plow man, plies his Plough after a Shower. So do you, when the Heart is beſt Affected, when the Goſpel ſaith to you as Jael to Barak [Come and I will ſhew thee the Man (Chriſt) whom thou ſeekeſt,] Judges 4.22 When Chriſt ſhews thee where He dwelleth, John 1.39. Brings thee into his Banqueting-houſe, Cant. 2.4. And Salvation comes to thy Houſe, Luke 19.9. Plow no …ger Wickedneſs, Hoſ. 10.13. be no more, not only Satans Soil, but alſo his very H…nds and Horſes, putting forth your ſtrength to further ſin, Prov. 21▪ 4. Job 4.8. Oh take the ſame pains for Grace and Glory, Pſal. 68.9, Job 28.26.
The Second part of the Parable is the Seed, which alſo is two fold. 1. The External (the Word.) And 2. The Internal Seed, to wit the Spirit. As the Veins and the Arteries run all along through all p…rts of us for the good of the Body, ſo the Word and the Spirit do likewiſe concu… for the good of the Soul of Man, and muſt not here be divided; for otherwiſe we hear only a ſound and a noiſe (v…x & praete …a nihil) but not the Voice of Chriſt, as thoſe in Acts … compared with Acts 22▪ 9. They heard only a confuſed ſound but not the Voice th… ſpake convertingly to Saul. When Word and Spirit come together to us, then the Lord ſpeaks to us with a ſtrong hand, as He did to, the Prophet, Iſa. 8.11. There is a Working of the Word, which is not Effectual, as is intimated, 1 Theſ. 2.13. When received as the Word of Men only, and not as the Word of God alſo.
Firſt, The Congruity betwixt this Temporal and Spiritual Seed, As,
1. Seeds are ſmall things yet produce great ſubſtances, as an Acorn doth an Oak, Muſtard ſeed a Tree &c. So the Word of God (that Seed of Immortality, 1 Pet. 1.23.) ſeems a ſmall contemptible thing and the Preaching of it be accounted fooliſhneſs, 1 Cor. 1.21. yet is it the Power of God unto; Salvation, Rom 1.16. and thereby many Souls be ſaved; as the Rams Horns were but deſpicable devices, yet the Divine Inſtitution Indued them with ſuch a prevalent power as to blow down the ſtrong Walls of Jericho's City with the blaſts thereof, Joſh. 6.4, 5, &c. So the Weapons of the Word in the Miniſtry, though weak ſeemingly, (as thoſe Prieſts Trumpets) and in reſpect of the Fleſh, yet are they Mighty through God and his Spirit, for pulling down the strong bolds of Satan, and for casting down Imaginations, &c. 2 Cor. 10.4, 5. As the Faſting Spittle that cometh out of Man's Mouth is ſaid to kill Serpents, ſo doth that which proceedeth out of the Mouths of God's faithful Miniſters, quell and kill evil Thoughts and carnal Reaſonings (which are that Legion of Domeſtick Devils) that hold a conſtant correſpondency and intimate intelligence with the Old Serpent in us. This weak Word is made ſtrong to overthrow, captivate and ſubdue a ſinful Soul into the obedience of Chriſt, and of that ſmall Seed ariſe thoſe goodly Trees of Righteouſneſs, which are not of the Devils, but of the Lord's Planting and Watering, Iſa. 61.3.
The Second Congruity is, As Seed muſt be Harrowed into the Earth (it muſt be caſt (not only on, but) into the ground, Mar. 4.26.) ſo the Word muſt be hid in the Heart, Pſal. 119.11. or it will not fructifie, Job 22.22, 23. Thus as David, ſo Mary kept all (pondering) in her Heart, Luke 2.19. when the Word is well covered with a moiſty Moul in the hidden Man of the Heart, it takes Root downward, and ſpringeth in Branches upward, firſt the Blade, then the Ear, after that the full Corn, Mark 4.28. were but our Minds as the Holy Ark wherein were hid the two Tables of God's Teſtimony, and our Memories as Aaron's Golden Pot wherein was kept the Heavenly Manna, Heb. 9.4. Rev. 2.17. preſerving Divine Truths of the Goſpel, and remarkable occurrencies of Providence. God would bleſs our buds, Iſa. 44.3. while we ſtrive to better that Bleſſing. The firſt ſpringings in the Womb of Grace are precious to God, Epheſ. 2.1.
The Third Parallel is. As Seed requires a good Soil, without which, though never ſo good in it ſelf, it cannot be ſucceſsful. So the Word, unleſs received into an Honeſt and Good Heart, Luke 8.15. proves unproſperous. Oh that our Hearts may be as Iſaac's Soil, Gen. 26.12. to bring forth an hundred fold.
The Fourth Parallel is, Though Seed be ſown in a good Soil, yet no ſucceſs can be expected without Heaven's Influence, Hoſ. 2.21, 22. nothing but an Harveſt of Weeds can be had when God Rains no Rain upon it, Iſa. 5.6, &c. Thus though Paul Plant and Apollos Water yet all is nothing If God give not the Increaſe, 1 Cor. 3.6, 7. without this, Men will ruſh on in their own Sins, and run Headlong to Hell, though great be the Company of good Preachers, Pſal. 68.11.
The Fifth Parallel is, As the Hope of a good Harveſt lies potentially in the Seed that is ſown, ſo doth Eternal Life in the Word that is preached, Rom. 1.16. This honour is given to that Ordinance above others: As the Rain from Heaven hath a greater fatneſs and a more peculiar fructifying Vertue in it, than any other ſtanding or running Waters on Earth: ſo there is not the like life found in any other means of Grace, as in this, which, like Goliah's Sword hath none like it for Converting Work.
Secondly, The Diſparity. As, (1.) This is not Corruptible Seed, 1 Pet. 1.23. (2) 'Tis not for food to the Body, but to the Soul; Angels food that nouriſhes up to to Eternal Life. (3.) This brings forth the beſt Harveſt, where Angels ſhall be Reapers, and the Joy of the Harveſt is Everlaſting.
Ʋſe I. Is there any Seed of God in you? though but as a Grain of Muſtard-ſeed, very little yet if true, God looks at Truth more than Meaſure, If born from above, or again John 3.3. and the Heart be ſound in God's Statutes, Pſal. 119.80. having the ſpirit of a ſound Mind, 2 Tim. 1.7. the Acorn now, may become an Oak in time, a ſmall beginning may have at latter end a greater Increaſe, Job 8.7. It may be you have not vaſt Heards and Flocks of Graces to offer unto God as Solomon did, 1 Kin. 8.63. yet may have a Lamb to ſend unto the Ruler of the People, Iſa. 16.1. Jacob in a time of ſcarcity had not much to ſend as a preſent to the Lord over the Land of Egypt, yet he bids Take a little of each, the beſt of the beſt, Gen. 43.11. Though Nehemiah had not his three thouſand Talents of Gold, of the Gold of Opher, nor his ſeven thouſand Talents of refined Silver, as David had to Beautifie the Temple with, 1 Chron. 29.4. yet had he a thouſand Drams of Gold, &c. to give for Repairing the Temple, Neh. 7.71. and his Drams were acceptable as well as David's Talents, For if there be firſt a willing Mind, it is accepted according to that he hath, and not according to that he hath not, 2 Cor. 8.12. The Lord looks more at the willingneſs of the Offerer, than at the worthineſs of the Offering. Artaxerxes was exceedingly affected with an handful of Water which one of his Common Souldiers brought him, becauſe it was the beſt preſent in his power to procure. Oh that ſweet Goſpel in the Law, but if he be not able to bring a Lamb, &c. Lev. 5.7. or two Turtles, ver. 11. let him bring the Tenth part of an Ephah: And if he be not able and cannot get ſo much, let him bring ſuch as he is able to get, Lev. 14.21, 22. Goats Hair was accepted for the Tabernacle as well as better things, Exod. 25.3, 4 &c. ſo was the Widows Mite for the Treaſury, Mark 12.41, to 44. Pence be accepted where Pounds are not, and Drams where Talents are not, and ſure I am a dram of ſaving Grace is better than a pound of Notional knowledge.
Ʋſe 2. Ask your hearts thoſe ſew queſtions about this Seed (though but ſmall, Mat. 13.31. & 17.20. Mark 4.31. Luke 13.19. Firſt, Are any Furrows prepared in your Hearts for the Reception of this Holy Seed? Have you had compunctions in Vend Cordis, Acts 2.37. making you cry out, What ſhall we do to be Saved? Unleſs your Hearts be Plowed with Gods Heifer, (as Judg. 14.18) to ſee the eagerneſs of others for Heaven will be a Riddle you underſtand not. Secondly, Hath this Sower caſt his Seed into theſe prepared Furrows? Man may forfeit or neglect his Sowing ſeaſon, but this Sower cannot do ſo, for all ſeaſons are the Lord's, firſt Furrows are prepared then the Seed is ſown, both in their ſeaſon, not by any natural power, it pertains to the power of the World to come. Thirdly, How hath that Holy Seed ſucceeded after Sowing? One may taſte of the Power of the World to come in the Word of God, Heb. 6.5. yet bring not forth an Harveſt of Holineſs, without which (notwithſtanding all bedewings that ſoak not deep enough) no harveſt of happineſs can be expected, Heb. 12.14, &c.
The Third Part is the Soil. Wherein Firſt the Congruity, As
Firſt, much ground lyes fallow where the Plow of the Goſpel hath not paſſed, divide the World into thirty equal parts, and nineteen of thoſe 30 be Heathens, and fix of the eleven remaining are Mahometans, ſo only the odd five profeſs Chriſt, and of thoſe there be many Papiſts, but few Proteſtants, yea of theſe Proteſtants how few are true Bellevers, a profeſſion is oft without power. Oh what a Weedy World is here to be burnt at the laſt day.
Secondly, As the natural product of the Curſed Earth is Weeds, &c. not Corn: So are our fallen Natures the proper Fathers of Sin, and but Stepmothers to Grace, hence ſin muſt humble us, becauſe it is our own, and Grace muſt humble us too, becauſe 'tis not our own, but is as Corn that is forced; Wild Olives by Nature, Rom. 11.24. Mors in Olla, Death in the Pot, 2 Kin. 4.40. All good is received, 1 Cor. 4.7,
Thirdly, There be variety of Soils in the World, ſome are Mountains of Pride and Preſumption, barren of Grace; others are Wilderneſſes, Souls pining away with thirſt, &c. yet ſome Hearts are as well Watered Valleys where the Lilly of Grace grows greatly, Cant. 2.1. There is ſome Sandy, ſome Stony, ſome Thorny Ground, as here, and yet ſome good though three to one in this England.
Secondly the Diſparity. As, Firſt, This Myſtical Soil (that is good) is not any Earthly thing, lying low to be trodden under foot in the World, but 'tis an Heavenly Heart that brings forth the Seed of God, the property of the Earthly Heart is changed by an Heavenly Power.
The Second, The Ground is more fitly diſpoſed to bring forth Corn than our Hearts are for Grace, though Corn growing be praeter Naturam, beſide Nature (not ſo Graſs) unſown, yet Grace growing is contra Naturam againſt Nature. Graſs is graceful to ground and hath its uſefulneſs, but Weeds are a Curſe, &c.
The Third, The Litteral Soil brings one only Crop in the year, but the Myſtical every Month, Rev. 22.2. in Winter as well as Summer, yea every Week, and every Day it bears fruits to God.
Ʋſe I. Ask what ſort of soil are you? Barren Mountains, droughthy Deſarts without Wells of Salvation, Iſa. 12.3. where the Lawgiver hath not yet Digg'd ſuch a Well, Numb. 21.17, 18.
Ʋſe II. 'Tis no matter how baſe or barren, harſh or hard your Heart be, where Chriſt undertakes the Culture, he can make parched ground become as the Garden of Eden, Iſa. 35.6, 7. & 51.3, &c.
The Fourth part is the Succeſs. Wherein Firſt, The Congruity. As, Firſt, 'Tis various not only from divers, but alſo from one and the ſame Soil, that brings forth bad crops ſometimes, as well as good: So though Grace never differs from it ſelf, yet a gracious Soul may have its withdrawments as well as inlargements, hath its Winter as well as Summer time, Cant: 2.11, 13.
Secondly, Succeſs is various not only from the Soil, but alſo from Influence as it hath more or leſs from Heaven. Where much is Received there much is Required, Luke 12.48. Cant. 6.11. Iſa. 5.2. Mat. 21.34. 1 Cor. 9.7. Danda igitur eſt opera, we muſt endeavour to anſwer to God's Pains, leſt he lay us waſt, Luke 13.7, &c.
Thirdly, Succeſs is not without Watering, Weeding out what offends, &c. Mat. 13.41. Iſa. 5.3. the Church is call'd a Garden that needs much Trimming Pruning and daily dreſſing, foreign, John 15.2. Solomon lets out his Vineyard to Tenants, Cant. 8.12. but Chriſt himſelf both Weeds and Waters His, &c.
Secondly the Diſparity, As (1.) Nature contributes much to the literal, but Grace doth all to the myſtical ſucceſs, 1 Cor. 3.6, 7. (2.) This latter hath more certainty than the former, which an Enemy may Reap, Pſal. 105.40. Mic. 6.15, &c. but the Gates of Hell cannot prevail to prevent the other, Mat. 16.18. John 10 29. Rom. 8.38. 1 Pet. 1.4, 5, &c. (3.) This brings in ſuch ſtore as is inexhauſtible, profit and pleaſure for evermore, Pſal. 16.11. Rom. 8.17. 2 Cor. 4.17.
Ʋſe I. Beware you be not High-way ground, where Sin hath a way over the Heart Pſal. 139.24. Impreſſions of ſin in its cuſtomary path-way, wear out the impreſſions of the Word, Edom deny'd a paſſage through them, Numb. 21.23. and Joſiah did the ſame, 2 Kin. 23.29. Ezek. 44.2, 3, &c. Seed cannot be covered in a Sin trodden Heart, hence the Prince Fowl picks it up, Heb. 2.1. Pſal. 119.11, 16.
Ʋſe II. Take heed of being ſtony-ground. Though the Seed be not pick'd up by that Prince Fowl Satan, nor trodden down by the foul feet of Sin, yet may it have, as a ſudden growing, ſo a ſoon dying. This Rocky ground is the hard heart, a Rock of the Devil's not of God's making. Rain falling on a Rock ſoaks it not, ſinks not in. Blind Bede Preach'd to a heap of Stones with ſmall ſucceſs, &c.
Ʋſe III. Be not Thorny ground, having both root and growth, ſome deſires to the Word, and ſome purpoſes to obey it, but Cares and Pleaſures over-grow all, taking up the Place, Time and Affection Chriſt ſhould have, but almoſt a Chriſtian, Acts 26.28. Earth out-grows Heaven as Thorns do Corn, &c.
Ʋſe IV. Have Honeſt and Good Hearts, Luke 8.15. Tho' all ſuch not alike fruitful, yet God accepts of the thirty as well as of the hundred, Zech 4.10. Mat. 12.20. ſo it be anſwerable to our helps and furtherances, Luke 12.48. ſuitable both to our Supernatural Principles, and to our Evangelical Priviledges, &c.