Gods Husbandry, Sermon 1 · Chapter 16
CHAP. XVI. Containing the firſt vſe.
ANd firſt we muſt call vponupon euerie ſoule to make a true triall of himſelfe, whether he be fruitfull yea or no. The Word of God muſt iudge vsus all at the laſt day: let vsus therfore iudge our ſelues by it in the meane, that we may the better hold out,EueryEvery man muſt trie whether he be fruitfull yea or no. in that finall and terrible iudgement. If we heare not Gods word in ſuch ſort, as thus to apply it to our owne ſoules; our hearing is but loſſe of time and paines, and wil but make our reckoning heauier at the end. Weigh your ſelues in theſe ballances, and touch your ſelues at this touch ſtone. Mans heart is very prone to beguile it ſelfe, & to be beguiled by Satan: ſearching it by the word of God, is the ſureſt means to ſaue it from the danger of being beguiled. Some men miſtaking fruitfulnes, eſteem themſelues fruitfull, when they be nothing leſſe: others againe, for want of ſound information in the matter, condemn themſelues as vnfruitfull, when indeed they be fruitfull. Before we either affirme or deny, it is needfull for vsus to proue our ſelues vnpartially, that our affirmations may not puffe vsus vp with counterfeit and windy comforts; our denialls caſt vsus downe with harmefull and vnneceſſary deiectedneſſe. Tell me then (that come from GOD) or rather, tell the Lord that comes by me, to inquire of thy ſelfe, concerning thy ſelfe. Art thou a fruitfull branch in Chriſt, yea or not? That thou art a branch, a Chriſtian in name and profeſſion, it is yeelded; thy comming hither ſeemeth to affirme ſo much. But ſay: Art thou a fruitfull branch, or not? Make not ouergreat haſte to anſwer this queſtion eyther way, but deliberate well of the poynt, and call to mind what hath beene formerly ſpoken, concerning this fruitfulneſſe, and accordingly anſwer for, or againſt thy ſelfe: ſay in truth, and without diſſembling, which way goe the greateſt number of thy thoughts, and to what end are the chiefeſt cogitations of thy mind-directed? Aime they at this? Buſie they themſelues about this? To pleaſe the liuing God, the Author of thy life, by knowing and doing his moſt righteous will? Art thou carefull and deſirous to become acquainted with thy duty? To that purpoſe giuing thy ſelfe to heare, and reade the Word of God, and performe all ſuch good exerciſes, as thou haſt meanes to performe, that thou mayeſt know it? Art thou likewiſe carefull and deſirous, when thou haſt found it out, to put it in practiſe alſo, and that not in ſome things alone, but without exception in all things? Doth thy ſoule thirſt after Gods ſtatutes? Doth thine heart often, daily, continually raiſe vp it ſelfe with ſuch heartie wiſhes? O that I could vnderſtand what I might doe to pleaſe God! O that I could hold my feete faſt in his precepts! Doſt thou make it the chiefe buſineſſe of thy life, to keepe thy ſelfe vnſpotted of the world, and be found plentifull in all the good workes that the Law of God requireth? Doſt thou muſe of this? ponder of this? and fixe the ſtrongeſt of the deſires of thy ſoule on this? ſtill recalling thine heart, and turning thy ſelfe againe to theſe deſires and wiſhes, when thou findeſt them wandring to by-matters? Can thy ſoule witneſſe for thee before God, that thou doſt put forth thy ſelfe after thy ſtrength, and labour to gather more ſtrength to get vnderſtanding of Gods will? and that thou vrgeſt and inforceſt thy ſelfe, to the conſtant obeying of it? reioycing and prayſing God, when in ſome meaſure thou canſt doe it? and when thou faileſt grieuing and afflicting thy ſelfe, condemning and blaming thy careleſneſſe and weakeneſſe: and arming thy ſelfe ſtill and ſtill againſt all ſuch hindrances, as thou meeteſt withall? findeſt thou thy ſelfe carried forward this way with the wings of that louelove of God, which is inkindled in thy breſt, towards him the God of thy ſaluation, and that with an earneſt intention to pleaſe him, and ſhew thy ſelfe regardfull of his greatneſſe? It bootes not at all to lye and faine and diſſemble: but true and plaine dealing is neceſſary, when thou haſt to deale with him that ſearcheth the heart, and demaunds of thee theſe things, not becauſe himſelfe is ignorant of them, but becauſe he would not hauehave thee remaine ignorant to thy owne deſtruction. Wherefore conſider aduiſedly, and anſwere truly; Can thine heart ſay in Gods hearing, that theſe things are found in thee? or that they are not found? Doubtleſſe brethren, it is as poſſible for vsus to tell, and that certainely and infallibly, whether we follow the trade of godlineſſe, as any other manuall trade or occupation. Hee that tills the ground, he that tendeth cattell, hee that is a Smith, or a Carpenter, or the like; I ſay, eueryevery one of theſe can tell, that he followes ſuch a Calling: one can ſay; Mine hand is often at the Plow, and I am ſtill about the husbanding of my ground, I am thinking of ſowing, of reaping, of ſoiling, and ſuch like; another can ſay, I am ſtill attending my cattell, I follow my ſheepe, I fodder them, I dreſſe them; another, I am conuerſant in building houſes, and my thoughts, and my hands, are taken vp in framing, and preparing timber, or ſtone for that purpoſe. Doubtleſſe it is as plaine, whether a man follow godlines, as whether he follow any of theſe vocations. A man may if hee will, know whether he be taken vp with thoughts and deſires of pleaſing God, of auoiding ſinne, of ſubdoing his corruptions, of planting and watring grace, of doing his dutie, which he hath learned out of Gods word, or whether hee bee a ſtranger to theſe things, and whether he do them conſtantly, or by ſtarts; & whether he be heedfull in all things, or ſpare himſelfe in ſome thing, and whether he ſtudy to pleaſe God in theſe things, or looke wholly or chiefly to himſelfe: theſe things are not performed ſo ſecretly and vndiſcernably, but that hee which performeth them, may eaſily find and feele, that hee doth performe them. Wherefore be not ignorant of thy ſelfe, for want of in quiring into thy ſelfe; and for want of a due conſideration of thy life, doe not miſtake thy life, whether it be a fruitful life in Chriſt Ieſus, or elſe idle and vnprofitable. And if any man find not this generall endeauour to pleaſe God, it is not the giuing of now and then an almes or a piece of money to the poore; it is not the reading of now & then a Chapter, or comming to heare a Sermon, or doing here and there ſome good and commendable worke, that can intitle him to the name of a fruitfull branch. And if any man doe find in himſelfe this vniuerſall ſtable endeauor to glorifie and pleaſe God, in the knowing and doing of his whole will; it is not the failing and comming ſhort of his deſires, it is not the being ignorant, or miſtaking of many things, it is not the ſlipping into many ſinnes and faults (though ſometimes too too groſſe and palpable) that can diſpoſſeſſe him of this name, and make him to be accounted no fruitfull branch. It is very needfull, and withall, poſſible and eaſie for thee to know what thou art: therefore be entreated to conſider of it ſeriouſly and vnfainedly, and not to miſtake through heedleſneſſe or wilfulneſſe.