Christ All and in All, Sermon 14
JOHN 15. 5.
Ye are the branches.XV. SERM. at Mary Wolnoth. Lon. Octob. 24. 1652.
I Go on to the deſcription of beleevers in reference to Chriſt, as it is laid down in theſe words; Ye are the Branches. The Obſervation will be this, viz.
Doct. That all true Beleevers are ſpiritual Branches ingraffed into Jeſus Chriſt. Jeſus Chriſt is the royal Stock, and all Beleevers are myſtical Branches of this Stock. The Scripture aſſerts this priviledge in many places, Rom. 6. 5. If we have been planted together in the likeneſſe of his death, we ſhall be alſo in the likeneſſe of his Reſurrection, foreign. Chriſt is there compared to the Root, and Beleevers to the Branches or Cions that grow in this Root. Eraſmus therefore tranſlates it very fitly, Inſititii, ingraffed or implanted. The Apoſtle ſets down this myſtery under another apt ſimilitude of the foundation-ſtone of a houſe, and the ſuperſtructory ſtones, Eph. 2. 20, 21. Chriſt is compared to the foundation, and the Beleevers to ſtones built upon that foundation. Ye are built upon the foundation of the Prophets and Apoſtles, Jeſus Chriſt himſelf being the chief corner ſtone, in … the whole building fitly framed together … …nto … holy T…mple in the Lord. There are … wayes of being Branches of Chriſt. The one is by external profeſſion onelyonly. In this reſpect, all that are members of the viſible Church are Branches of Chriſt. Thus the Apoſtle ſaith, that all the Gentiles when they were called into the Church by the preaching of the Goſpel, were graffed into Chriſt, Rom. 11. 17. the Metaphor is often uſed in that Chapter. This is not that ingraffing which I ſhall now handle. For though it be an honour and priviledge to be a branch of Chriſt in this general way, yet is it not a ſaving priviledge. A man may be a Branch of Chriſt in this reſpect, and yet at laſt be cut off and burned. So our Saviour ſaith in the verſe after the Text. The other way of being graffed or made a Branch of Chriſt, is by the grace of union. Thus all true Beleevers, and onelyonly true Beleevers are made Branches. This is that which the Apoſtle elſewhere calls being members of Chriſt, Eph. 5. 30. and dwelling in Chriſt, John 6. 56. and putting on Chriſt, Gal. 3. 27. That they are made Branches of Chriſt, beſides theſe teſtimonies of Scripture, it will appeare from the Sacraments, both of Baptiſme and the Supper. This is the plaine language of both the Sacraments.
1. Baptiſme ſpeaks it. 'Tis the ſeal and ſigne of this ingraffing. This is clear from two texts before cited; the one, Rom. 6. 5. If we have been planted together into the likeneſſe of his death, How is that? ſee verſe before. We are buried with him by Baptiſme unto death. The other i…, Gal. 3. 27. As many of you as have been Baptized into Chriſt, have put on Chriſt. Nor as if all baptized perſons were really made Branches, but becauſe this is ſealed in Baptiſme as the priviledge of all Beleevers. They are as certainly made Branches of Chriſt inviſibly and myſtically, as all that are baptized are made members of the Church viſibly and externally.
2. The Supper of the Lord doth alſo ſpeak it. Our eating and drinking of Chriſt Sacramentally is a ſeat and pledge of our being ingraffed into him ſpiritually. This is cleare from that Text I cited before, John 6. 56. He that eateth my fleſh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him. We are therefore nouriſhed by his fleſh and blood, becauſe we are united to his body. In the handling of this Doctrine two things are to be opened by way of Explication.
1. How we are made Branches of Chriſt.
2. What benefit we have by being ſo.
For the firſt, How men are made Branches of Chriſt. There are three things which concur to this work of the ſouls ingraffing into Chriſt. The Word of God, The Spirit of God, Juſtifying Faith.
1. The Word of God. The Word preached is the ordinary and common mediate inſtrument, whereby this great work is wrought. By this Word is the ſoule firſt cut off from the wilde ſtock of corrupt nature, and planted into the true Olive-tree, or Vine, Jeſus Chriſt. Hence the work of planting is in Scripture attributed to the Miniſters of the Goſpel, 1 Cor. 3. 6, 7. I have planted, ſaith the Apoſtle, Apollo watered. God indeed is the great Planter. So v. 1. of this Chapter. I am the true Vine, and my Father i… the …. He is the Maſter-Planter, the Miniſters are ſubordinate-planters; We are labourers together with God. 1 Cor. 3. 9. They are ſo called, becauſe by the Word preached, this great work is done, This the Prophet clearly affirmes, Eſay 61. 1, 2, 3. The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, becauſe the Lord hath anointed me to preach Chriſt; that they might be called trees of righteouſneſſe, the planting of the Lord. Theſe myſtical trees are Gods planting; but the inſtrument wherby they are made ſuch trees, is the Word preached. Hence the Word is called the incorruptible ſeed of regeneration, 1 Pet. 1. 23. As all the Trees and Plants in the firſt Creation were ſet, and ſprung up by the Word of God, Gen. 1. 11, 12. So are all theſe myſtical Branches ingraffed by the Miniſterial Word.
2. The Spirit of God. The Holy Ghoſt is the immediate Inſtrument whereby the ſoule is ingraffed. It is the Spirit which gives efficacy to the Word, both to cut off the ſoule from the ſtock of nature, and to implant it into the Stock of grace. The Word would never be able to tear off any perſon from his firſt root, if it were not edged and ſtreng…hred by the Spirit of God. The Scripture calle…h the Holy Ghoſt the finger of God, Luke 11. 20. compared with Mat. 1…. 28. He is ſo c…ed as for other reaſons, ſo for this, becauſe he is the immediate inſtrument whereby God works in the hearts of his creatures. Particularly for this work of ingraffing the ſoule into Chriſt, the Holy Ghoſt is affirmed to be the immediate inſtrument 1 Cor. 12. 13. By one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, &c. and have been all made to drink into one ſpirit. And againe, Eph. 2. 21, 22. where the Apoſtle ſpeaking of this great myſtery under another reſemblance, ſaith, that in Chriſt we are builded an habitation of God thorough the Spirit. The ſame Spirit which builds us upon Chriſt into one Temple, doth ingraffe us into Chriſt as one Vine.
3. Faith. This is the immediate inſtrumental cauſe on mans part. Faith is an uniting grace, it knits the ſoule to Chriſt, and Chriſt to the ſoul. Faith is an incorporating grace, it doth as it were embody the ſoule into Chriſt, making it one with Chriſt, and Chriſt with it. This is that which the Apoſtle ſaith. 1 Pet. 2. 4, 5. To whom coming as to a living ſtone, &c. Ye alſo are built up as lively ſtones, &c. Two things are obſervable in that Text.
Firſt, that the Saints are built together upon Chriſt the foundation-ſtone, an holy houſe to God.
Secondly, how Chriſt and they are cemented together into one building; this is by beleeving, ſet out by the expreſſion of coming, which is uſed ordinarily for beleeving, as Mat. 11. 28. The Spirit of God firſt works ſaith in the heart of a perſon through the Word, and then the ſoul is by the Spirit through faith ingraffed into Chriſt, and made a lively Branch.
For the ſecond particular, What advantage the ſoul hath by being a Branch of Chriſt, I ſhall here follow the Metaphor. The ſame advantage the Branch hath by being ingraffed into the Stock, hath a Beleever in a ſpiritual ſenſe by being ingraffed into Chriſt. I name theſe five.
1. Spiritual ſupportation. The Branch hath this benefit from the Stock into which it is ingraffed, that it is born up and ſupported by it. The Branch doth not bear the Vine, nor doth it beare it ſelf, but is born of the Vine. A beleever hath ſupportation from Jeſus Chriſt. We ſtand on Chriſts legs, not on our own. I can do all things (ſaith the Apoſtle) through Christ that strengthneth me, Phil. 4. 13. The ſtrength of the Branch is in the Vine; ſo is the ſtrength of a Beleever in Chriſt. Who is this that cometh out of the Wilderneſſe leaning on her beloved! Cant. 8. 5. I laid me down and ſlept, (ſaith David) I awaked, for the Lord ſuſteined me. Many blaſts paſſe over a beleever, many violent concuſſions and ſhakings is he expoſed unto, partly by reaſon of ſinne, partly by temptations from the Devil, from men; in all theſe ſhakings he hath ſuſtentation from Chriſt into whom he is implanted. My grace (ſaith Chriſt to Paul) ſhall be ſufficient for thee; for my strength is made perfect in weakneſſe, in 2 Cor. 12. 9. A beleever may with confidence go to Chriſt, and pray for ſupport in all his weakneſſes. A beleever may go to Chriſt and chalenge ſupport. Chriſt would never have made thee a Branch, if he had not intended to ſupport and ſtrengthen thee, Eſay 41. 10. there are repeated promiſes of ſuſtentation. I will ſtrengthen thee, I will help thee, I will uphold thee. In doing, in ſuffering, in dying is a beleever ſupported by Chriſt. A beleever never wants ſupport; but when either through pride he will not have it, or through ſlothfulneſſe he will not … Jeſus Chriſt.
2. Spiritual nouriſhment. The Bran… doth not give nouriſhment to the Stock, nor doth it nouriſh it ſelfe, but it receives nouriſhment from the Stock. A beleever hath nouriſhment from Jeſus Chriſt. The Root feeds the Branch, it conveys its ſap to each Branch, whether it be great or little, whether it be nearer the Root, or at a farther diſtance from it. Chriſt conveys proper nouriſhment to every beleever. The Apoſtle ſpeaks of this, Col. 2. 19. The whole body from Chriſt by joynts and bands hath nouriſhment miniſtred; the Ordinances are the joynts and bands by which nouriſhment is carried, but Chriſt is the great treaſury from whence it is carried. He nouriſhes Faith, he feeds Hope, he nouriſheth love, &c. Of his fulneſſe have we all received, and grace for grace, John 1. 16. Every grace a beleever hath, would die and wither, if it did not receive daily nouriſhment from Jeſus Chriſt.
3. Spiritual increaſe. The branch receives its Augmentation from the Vine. The graffe when it's firſt implanted, is very ſmall; a childe may break it with one of his fingers: but by abiding in the Stock it grows till it come to perfection. All a Beleevers increaſe is from Jeſus Chriſt. 'Tis by and through him that we grow from infancy to a perfect man. Two Texts of Scripture do fully ſet out this benefit of our implantation; The one is, Col. 2. 19. In him the whole body having nouriſhment miniſtred, increaſeth with the increaſe of God. The other is, Eph. 4. 16. Where the Apoſtle tells us, that by and from Chriſt the whole body being fitly joyned together, and compacted by that which every part ſupplieth, maketh increaſe of the body. That their knowledge is ſtronger then it was at firſt, that the habits of grace are ſtrengthned, &c. This is by vertue of their implantation into the Vine. Chriſt is the beleevers breaſt; the beleever by ſucking at the breſt, growes from a childe to a young man, from a young man to an old man in Chriſt.
4. Spiritual fructification. The fruitfulneſſe of the Branch is from the fulneſſe of the Root. The Stock ſends out its ſap to every Branch, and ſo every branch buds, and bloſſoms, and brings forth fruit Abeleevers ſpiritual fruitfulneſs is from Jeſus Chriſt. Chriſt ſends out his ſap and fatneſſe to him, and then he doth according to his kind, bud, and bloſſome, and bring forth fruits in his ſeaſon. This is that which followes immediately after the Text; He that abideth in me, and I in him, the ſame bringeth forth much fruit, for without me ye can do nothing. 'Tis foreign, ſeparated from me ye can do nothing. David, Pſalme 1. 3. tells us from whence our fruits ſpring, namely from our implantation. He ſhall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, which bringeth forth his fruit in his ſeaſon. So Pſal. 92. 13. 14. 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, &c. This preheminencie theſe myſtical trees have of the natural. Old age makes the natural tree barren; but it makes the myſtical tree the more fruitful. Conſider what God ſaith to his people, Hoſ. 14. 8. From me is thy fruit found. This the Church acknowledgeth, when ſhe calleth them Chriſts fruits, Cant. 4. 16. They are borne by the Church, … produced by Chriſt. The… … fruits in regard of benefit, but … Chriſts fruit in regard of production. The Creation, the Preſervation, the ripening of … are from Chriſt. They are our fruits in regard of Inhaeſion, but they are Chriſts fruits in regard of Procreation. That Chriſtian is either blinded with ignorance, or filled with malice, or ſwelled with pride, who will not acknowledge his ſpiritual fructification to be from Chriſt.
5. Spiritual fellowſhip. The Branch by vertue of its ingraffing into the Stock, hath fellowſhip with the Stock, it doth partake of all the good of the Stock. A beleever by vertue of his implantation into Chriſt hath ſpiritual fellowſhip with Jeſus Chriſt in all his good things. God is faithful (ſaith the Apoſtle) by whom ye are called into the fellowſhip of his Sonne Jeſus Chriſt, 1 Cor. 1. 9. He that is a Branch of Chriſt is ſpiritually married to Chriſt. Hoſ. 2. 19, 20. I will betroth thee unto me for ever, in righteouſneſſe, in judgemene, in loving-kindeneſſe, in mercies, and in faithfulneſſe. Marriage gives the wife an intereſt in all the good things of her husband. His honours, his riches, his relations are now related to her. Her name is ſet upon all the goods which are marked with her huſbands name; where he is Caius, ſhe is Caia; where he is Maſter, ſhe is Miſtreſſe. By our implantation into Chriſt, all his poſſeſſions are ours. His honours are ours, we are called by his name; He Chriſt, we Chriſtians. His riches are ours, his relations are ours; I aſcend to my Father, and your Father; to my God, and your God, John 20. 17. Hereby, 1. We communicate with Chriſt in his death, Rom. 6. 5. All the fruits of his death are ours, onelyonly by reaſon of our ingraffing into him. 2. Hereby alſo we communicate with Chriſt in the fruits of his reſurrection, Rom. 6. 5. We ſhall alſo be in the likeneſſe of his reſurrection. Hereby, 3. we have communion with him in his life, Rom. 6. 8. If we be dead with Chriſt, we beleeve that we ſhall alſo live with him. He will be for ever unto us a ſpring of ſpiritual life. Becauſe I live, you ſhall live alſo, John 14. 19. Herein do theſe ſpiritual Branches differ from the natural: a natural branch may die, though the Root live; but a ſpiritual Branch of Chriſt, can never die while there is life in Chriſt his Root. Hereby, 4. Do we participate of the Spirit of Chriſt; the Spirit of Chriſt is ours, becauſe we are Branches of Chriſt, in 1 Cor. 6. 17. He that is joyned unto the Lord, is one Spirit. Conſider but one Text, which doth fully ſhew our ſpiritual fellowſhip from this very ground. 'Tis 1 Cor. 1. 30. Of him are ye in Chriſt Jeſus, &c. There are three things in this text.
Firſt, that beleevers are in Chriſt.
Secondly, that their being in Chriſt is from Gods Donation, Of him are ye in Chriſt.
Thirdly, that by vertue of their intereſt in Chriſt it is, that they come to have fellowſhip with Chriſt; he is to them wiſdome, &c. becauſe they are in him. He is their wiſdom, as he hath revealed ſalvation to them, as he guides them in the way of ſalvation. He is their righteouſneſſe, as he hath perfectly obeyed the Law commanding, and as he hath fully ſatisfied the Law … Sanctification to them, as he hath … them his Spirit to renue them by regeneration; and he is their Redemption, as he ſhall raiſe the… up at the laſt day, and glorifie them. Th… much for Explication.
The Uſes of this Point are of three ſorts.
1. Information.
2. Exhortation.
3. Conſolation.
1. For Information.
1. We may learn from this Metaphor, the nature of the union that is between Chriſt and beleevers. The Doctrine of our ſpiritual union with Chriſt, is a ſtupendious myſtery, therefore the Holy Ghoſt makes uſe of natural ſimilitudes to ſet it forth. Among others he makes uſe of this of the Vine and Branches. Which teacheth us three properties of this Union.
(1) That it is a Real union. The Branches and the Vine are not united appearingly, but truly. Chriſt and a beleever are united, not imaginarily, but really. Though it be an inviſible union to the eye of ſenſe, yet it is viſible to the eye of faith. Though it be a ſpiritual union, yet it is a true union. Hence it is that the Name of Chriſt is communicated to all his members, 1 Cor. 12. 12. ſo alſo is Chriſt. Not Chriſt perſonal, but Chriſt myſtical. If the union were not in reality, Jeſus Chriſt would never impart his name to any of them.
2. That it is a very ſtrict union. The union between the Vine and Branches, is not a looſe union, but a cloſe union; by vertue of this union they are made one tree. The union between Chriſt and a beleever is a very cloſe union. They are not united together as a wooden legge is united to the body, onelyonly by external bands and ligaments; but as the natural legge is united to the body by inward bands, by thoſe influences of Spirits, Animal and Vital, which deſcend from the Head to the members. The beleever is not tied to Chriſt onelyonly by the bands of an outward profeſſion, but made one with Chriſt by a reall incorporation. Chriſt and the beleever are made one, not by mixture, as water and wine are made one; but by marriage, as the husband and wife are made one. Next to the union of the three perſons in one nature, and the union of the two natures of Chriſt in one perſon, this ſpiritual union between Chriſt and the beleever is the moſt glorious. This is the firſt inference.
2. We may from hence learn the high deſcent of true Beleevers. They are of a very eminent extraction. However they be mean in regard of their natural birth, yet in reſpect of their ſpiritual birth they are nobly deſcended. They are the off-ſpring of the great family of heaven. See what the Apoſtle ſaith of them, 1 Pet. 2. 9. foreign. What Heraldry is comparable to this! They are buds of the coeleſtial Vine. They are Branches of Chriſt; and by vertue of their union with Chriſt they come to be made one both with the Father and the Holy Ghoſt, John 17. 21. That they may be all one with us. They are of the blood royal of heaven. They are of …in to all the perſons of the …. 'Tis an honour which the … Heaven are not advanced unto. To which … the Angels ſaid Chriſt at any time, … Vine, ye are the Branches? Though they he above us in regard of their nature, yet are we above them in regard of our union. T…e Saints are not contemptible perſons: whatever they be as men, yet as Saints, as new men, they are better deſcended then the beſt bor…e of the Sonnes of men. This is the ſecond Inference.
3. That it is an union wrought by God, not by us. What doth the Branch contribute to its union with the Root? What do we contribute to our union with Chriſt? we neither cut off our ſelves, nor graffe in our ſelves. Man is paſſive in his firſt converſion, Epheſ. 2. 10. foreign.
2. For Exhortation. I ſhall direct it firſt to them that are Branches; Secondly, to all others that grow upon their firſt Stock.
1. To the branches of Chriſt. I have from this Doctrine theſe foure things to commend to them, which I would intreat them to lay to heart.
(1) That they would be very thankful for this great priviledge. Bleſſe the Lord that hath made you branches. Ye are not branches by your natural birth, but ye are made Branches by your ſpiritual birth. There is this difference between the natural branches and the myſtical. The natural branch is ordinarily better then the ſtock into which it is ingraffed. Your Gardiners, if they can but get a good graffe; they care not much how mean the root be. A crab-tree is good enough to graſſe upon; but here it is quite contrary: the Stock is better then the Branches. The beſt of us by nature are wilde vines, as the Apoſtle ſaith of the Gentiles, Rom. 11. 24. We were cut out of the Olive-tree which is wilde by nature; the more cauſe have we to admire the goodneſſe of God the great Husbandman, that ſuch crabbed, ſowre, knotty, crooked branches as we were by nature, ſhould be implanted into ſuch a ſweet, glorious, honourable root as Chriſt is. Behold here (as the Apoſtle ſaith concerning the implanting of the Gentiles) the goodneſſe of God, Rom. 11. 22. Our viſible external implantation is a very great mercy, our ſpiritual implantation far greater. We were made Branches of Chriſt.
When we were by nature very unfit;
When we were very unwilling; And
When others as good as the beſt of us, were paſſed by, and ſuffered ſtill to grow on the ſowre ſtock of nature. Bleſſe God for your rooting in Chriſt; your rooting in him is the ground of all other bleſſings. This is the firſt. And then,
(2) That they would be fruitful. The Scripture calls frequently for plentifulneſſe of fruit from the Saints of God, Phil. 1. 11. he would have us to be filled with the fruits of righteouſneſſe. Great reaſon there is why it ſhould be ſo. We are ingraffed into a fruitful Vine: God may well expect we ſhould be fruitful Branches. Reade what the Prophet ſpeaks by way of prediction concerning this very thing, Ezek. 47. 12. By the river ſhall grow all trees for meat, &c. We ſhould be careful to fulfil this Prophecy. God may … made us branches of ſuch a Stock, … very fruitful branches. We may well … our implantation, if we be not … in is the excellency of the myſtical … that they are not any of them barren. … … leevers fruitfulneſſe doth greatly honour … the Husbandman, and Chriſt the Vine; … his unfruitfulneſſe diſhonours both, John 1…. 8. Herein is my heavenly Father glorified, that ye bring forth much fruit, &c. Fruitfulneſſe doth diſtinguiſh between the nominal diſciple, and the real Diſciple. He that is a Diſciple indeed, is a fruitful Diſciple. We are therefore made Branches that we may be fruitful. Of all branches the Vine branch is good for nothing if it be not fruitful. I beſeech you be fruitful. Let the fulneſſe of the root appear in the fruitfulneſſe of the Branches. And be ſure of this, that ye bring forth the fruits of the Stock. Here is another difference between the natural branch, and the myſtical. The natural branch brings forth its own fruits; not the fruits of the ſtock into which it is ingraffed, but the fruits of its own kinde: but the myſtical Branch muſt bring forth the fruits of the root, the fruits of Chriſt; His meekneſſe, his patience, his heavenlineſſe, &c. The end of this and all other priviledges is our fruitfulneſſe. So the Apoſtle tells us, 1 Pet. 2. 9. Ye are a choſen generation, &c. To what end? That ye ſhould ſhew forth the vertues of him that called you out of darkneſſe into his marvellous light. This is the ſecond. And then,
3. That they …ld be very holy. Take heed of wickedneſſe you that are the Branches of Chriſt. Mean and ſordid employment is not fit for perſons that are of noble or royal deſcent. Sinne is an unmeet employment for a Branch of Chriſt. Holineſſe becometh thy houſe O Lord for ever, Pſal. 93. 5. The Apoſtle preſſeth it from this very Doctrine, 1 Cor. 6. 15. Shall I take the members of Chriſt, and make them the members of an harlot? God forbid. For a Branch of Chriſt to lie, or cheate, or defraud, how unſeemly! For ſhame, let it not be ſo. He that is borne of God ſinneth not, 1 John 3. 9. He that abideth in him ſinneth not, ver. 6. He ſinneth not that unpardonable ſinne; He committeth no ſinne as others do, with delight, with allowance, with deliberation, &c. Either diſown ſinne, or diſown to be Branches of Chriſt. When Satan tempts you, when the fleſh ſtirs you up to ſinne; ſay to them, and ſay with reſolution of ſpirit, ſuch diſhonourable employment is very unfit for him who is a Branch of Chriſt. Let them that are branches of the devil do the devils work, but let them that are branches of Chriſt do the work of Chriſt. He that ſaith he abideth in Chriſt, ought himſelfe ſo to walk, even as he walked, 1 John 2. 6. And then,
(4) That they would acknowledge their whole dependance to be on Chriſt. The branch doth not depend upon it ſelfe, but upon the Vine. All a beleevers dependance ſhould be on Chriſt.
1. On him we depend in point of fruition. God hath laid up all that ever we ſhall have in Chriſt; All that the branches receive, they receive from the root. All the good which a beleever ſhall have, it is from Chriſt. Out of his fulneſſe have we all received, John 1. 16. And then,
2. On him we depend in … the good we receive is from him … we do is done by him; he is the … good, both in a Paſſive ſenſe, and in … ſenſe, Without the ye can do nothing, John … It is very unſeemly, and very in congruous … Branch of Chriſt to deny his dependance o… the root, either by Word or Action. To expect any thing but from and through Chriſt, to go about to do any thing without power derived from Chriſt, is to deny our dependance on him. And he that denies his dependance on him, ſhall have no benefit by him. Chriſt in you the hope of glory, Col. 1. 27. He that will have either glory or grace any other way then thorough Chriſt, ſhall certainly come ſhort either of grace or glory. He that will undertake to performe any action, to encounter any temptation without actual rolling himſelf on Chriſt, ſhall finde the action too hard, the temptation too ſtrong for him to encounter. A Chriſtian may do all things when Chriſt doth ſtrengthen him, but he can do nothing till Chriſt enable him. 'Tis a dangerous thing not to depend on Chriſt. Theſe two inconveniences follow upon it.
Firſt, He that doth not acknowledge his dependance on Chriſt for what he doth will not give Chriſt the glory of what he doth; And what Sacriledge is it to rob Chriſt of his glory? And then
2ly. He that will not acknowledge his dependance on Chriſt doth ſtop up the currant of the grace of Chriſt to himſelf. If we with-hold our acknowledgements, Chriſt will with-hold his outflowings. Let this perſwade all Chriſtians to own their dependance on Chriſt. And then,
(5) Strengthen your union with Christ more and more. Grow farther and farther into Chriſt. The Apoſtle ſpeaks of growing up into Chriſt, Eph. 4. 15. A beleever, as ſoon as ever he is implanted, is inſeparably united; but yet the union may be ſtrengthened. As the tree ſhoots up in height, ſo the root grows down-ward in depth; and every branch, the longer it grows in the ſtock, the more firmly is it united. A beleever muſt get faſter and faſter hold on Chriſt every day. He muſt ſtrengthen his faith in Chriſt daily. As our faith is ſtrengthened, ſo is our union with Chriſt ſtrengthened. The Apoſtle tells us this in that Col. 2. 6, 7. As ye have received Chriſt Jeſus the Lord; ſo walk ye in him, rooted and built up in him, and stabliſhed in the faith. As our faith is ſtabliſhed, ſo is our union ſtabliſhed. Every Sermon, every Prayer, every Sacrament ſhould cauſe us ſink deeper and deeper into Chriſt. Thus for the Exhortation as it reſpects them that are Branches of Chriſt.
2. To them that are not branches. That they would endeavour to be implanted. I know a Chriſtian is meerly paſſive in his firſt converſion; the grace of converſion is preventing grace, yet ſomething may be done. The Word of God, I told you, is the mediate inſtrument of our implantation. Wait conſtantly on this Word; when ye come to it, lift up your hearts to God, and get others to joyn with you, that God would cut you off from the ſtock of the wilde vine, and implant you into Chriſt. Sigh after Chriſt; when Chriſt lays hold on you by his Spirit to cut you off, do not reſiſt. Cut your ſelves off from ſinful acts, and God may cut you off from a ſinful cool. This is … … hortation.
3. For Conſ…lati… This Doctri… … are branches of Chriſt affords many … of Comfort. There are foure ſprings, … to beleevers, ariſing from four priviledge… ▪ which redound to them from this relation the… ſtand in to Chriſt. As
1. Surely Chriſt will be very ſenſible of all the wrongs which are done you. They come very neere to Jeſus Chriſt, that lay violent hands upon his branches. There is ſympathy between the Root and the branches. There is ſympathy between Chriſt and beleevers, Saul, Saul, why perſecuteſt thou me, Acts 9. 4? He that hacks and hews the branches, is injurious to the ſtock that bears them. He that hews and hacks at a beleever, doth hew at Chriſt who is the Root of a beleever. And
2. Surely Chriſt will revive you under all decayings and dyings. Beleevers, theſe myſtical hranches have their winte…s as well as the natural branches. They loſe their verdure and greenneſſe ſometimes thorough ſinne as other trees do. Well, here is your comfort, Chriſt your ſtock will ſend out his ſap, he will by the communications of his influences, reſtore you to your luſter and greenneſſe again: He will cauſe a freſh and beautiful Spring to ſucceed a drooping Winter: He will make you freſh and gay after al your ſpiritual witherings and failings. The Root owes this to the branch, to revive it, to convey ſap to it. Jeſus Chriſt having undertaken this work and office, to be the Churches Stock, doth owe this to every beleever, to communicate ſap and moiſture to him. God hath put fulneſſe into him that he might ſend out to all the branches. David had once loſt his greenneſſe; Peter was foully withered; many other Saints have languiſhed; but Chriſt hath ſent out his moiſture and revived them againe He reſtoreth my ſoul (ſaith David) and leadeth me in the paths of righteouſneſſe for his Names ſake, Pſal. 23. 3. A branch of Chriſt may promiſe to himſelf that he ſhall have ſpiritual reſtorings from Chriſt after ſpiritual languiſhings. Chriſt may for a time let his branches wither, but he will not let them die. And then
3. Surely Chriſt will beare thee up in all ſhakings. Beleevers meet with may ſore tempeſts in this world, they have ſtormes and earth-quakes; fightings without, and feares within. Jeſus Chriſt will not ſuffer you to be broken off by any of theſe ſtormes. In this, the myſtical branches exceed all the natural. They may be broken off from the ſtock, but thoſe cannot. You have ſeen ſometimes ſtrong armes of mighty trees, broken off by ſtrong windes, mighty thunders, &c. But let it lighten and thunder never ſo violently, Chriſt will ſecure theſe branches; Once a Branch, and ever a Branch. Simon. Simon, Satan hath deſired to lift thee, &c. Luke 22 32. He that will pluck off a branch muſt firſt pluck up the root. While the ſtock hath ſtrength to bear the branches, they ſhall be borne up; onelyonly two things the Branches muſt be careful of.
1. They muſt importune Chriſt by their prayers. They muſt beg of him what they want, and he will beſtow what he hath promiſed. Jeſus Chriſt cannot deny importunate prayer.
2. They muſt claſp about him by faith. Faith is the ſoule▪ … Jeſus Chriſt. A hand … from Jeſus Chriſt. And …
4. Surely Chriſt will … in glory. Chriſt is a Root of glory as … grace. We are implanted into Chriſt in g…ce, in order to our implantation into glory, … we are made meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the Saints in light, Col. 1. 12. He that is in Chriſt by grace, ſhall be with Chriſt in glory, Col. 3. 4.