Gods Husbandry, Sermon 1 · Chapter 14
CHAP. XIIII. Shewing that fruitfulneſſe is the true diſtictniue note of thoſe that profeſſe to be Chriſtians.
AND ſo much bee ſpoken of the diſtribution of branches into two kinds: Wee proceede now to conſider the difference of the branches: for in that they bee branches they both concurre: but herein they differ manifeſtly, that the one is, the other is not fruitfull. Obſerue then from theſe words of our Sauiour, another point, that fruitfulneſſe is the true note of difference betwixt the true Chriſtian, and the hypocrite. As a man differs from a beaſt by reaſon; a beaſt from a plant; by ſence; a plant from a ſtone, by life or vegetation; ſo a good Chriſtian from an hypocrite, by fruitfulneſſe. This is the moſt plaine, ſure, ſenſible, infallible, and (as they call it) the very ſpecifical marke of diſtinction, betwixt the ſound profeſſor and the falſe, that the one beareth fruit, the other doth not beare fruit in the Vine. Where the holy ordinances of God hauehave ſuch power, as to work obedience in the whole couerſation, this is fruitefulneſſe, and here is truth: where they doe not bring forth this effect, this is fruitleſneſſe, and here is guile. In a word, all true Chriſtians are fruitfull, and none but they: all diſſemblers are fruitleſſe, and none but they. This point is abundantly confirmed in the parable of the ſower, in which of foure grounds, one alone was good, and that fruitfull; as for the bad grounds, the firſt did not beare ſo much as a blade;Mat. 13.1. &c. the other two did indeed put out a little greenenes, but it was like the corne vponupon the houſe top, which withereth or euer it be ripe, and of which the mower filleth not his lap; onelyonly the good ground did requite the labour of the husbandman with a liberall harueſt of ſome thirtie, ſome ſixtie, ſome hundred fold. So in the words of the Apoſtle,Heb. 6.7.8. the ground that bringeth forth fruite meete for the dreſſer, is bleſſed, but that that bringeth forth briars and thornes, is neere vntounto curſing, whoſe end is burning.Mat. 7.24. And in more plaine termes our Sauiour ſaith, that hee which heareth his words and doth them (this is fruitfulneſſe) doth build vponupon a rocke (this is an effect of truth): but he that heareth and doth them not (that is, to bee vnfruitfull), doth build vponupon the ſand; that is, is but an hypocrite, and ſhall hauehave his building tumbling downe.
The truth of this point will further appeare, if we conſider the cauſes and effects of fruitfulneſſe. The cauſes of it, are the ſactifying Spirit of God dwelling in the ſoule; and the Word of God, receiued into an honeſt heart. No man bringeth forth fruit, but he vponupon whom the holy Ghoſt hath come downe, to beget him againe, and to make him a new creature in Chriſt Ieſus: for a tree muſt firſt liue, afore it beare; and no man is vnfruitfull, but becauſe hee is deſtitute of the worke of Gods ſpirit, ſo forming him into a new creature, becauſe hee hath neglected or reſiſted it. Now it is certaine, that whoſoeuer hath the ſpirit of ſanctification in him, is a true Chriſtian; he that hath it not, is none. Wherefore from ones being fruitfull, or not fruitfull, it may be infallibly concluded, whether he be true or hollow. Againe, no man bringeth forth the fruit of good liuing, vntill the word of God hauehave entred into his heart, and taken deepe roote in the very bottome of his ſoule: and contrarily, where this fruit doth not ſhew it ſelfe, there the Word of God did neuer enter into the ſoule, neither was ſoundly rooted therein; and it is doubtleſſe, that if GODS Word hauehave copious dwelling in vsus, we be true Chriſtians; if not, we bee but diſſemblers. Wherefore the bearing, or not bearing of fruit, is a ſound proofe of truth, or want of truth. Againe, looke we to the effects of fruitfulneſſe, or its abſence, and it will vndeniably appeare, that theſe two doe beſt diſtinguiſh betwixt the ſincere and hollow hearted: for the ground that bringeth fruit, muſt obtaine a bleſſing. The reward of a good life here, is eternall life hereafter: but the end of the ground that beareth not fruit, is curſing and burning; and euill-led life, ſhall end in death eternall. Now none can be ſaued but the true Chriſtian; and no Chriſtian is damned, but the falſe: wherefore from this point, the moſt eſſentiall and formall difference of Chriſtians (the branches in Chriſt) muſt be taken.