The Heavenly Trade, Tract · Application 4 · Part 5 · Subpart 1
Advice 1.
Firſt, To bleſs God for good trading: Is it well with your ſouls? Doth the South-wind blow upon your Garden, and the Spices flow out? Cant. 4. 16. Doth the Fig-tree put forth her green Figs? and the Vine, with the tender Grape, give a good ſmell? Cant. 2. 13. What reaſon have you then to be always giving thanks? you whoſe trading turns to any ſpiritual advantage: thou canſt ſay, 'Tis good to draw nigh to God; in keeping his commands is great reward: The Lord is not a barren wilderneſs to thy ſoul; but peace is within thy Walls, and proſperity within thy Palaces, Pſal. 122. 7. Thy glory is freſh in thee, and thy bow renewed in thy hand: thy root ſpreadeth out by the waters, and the dew lying all night between thy branches, Job 29. 19, His ways are pleaſantneſs, and his ſteps drop fatneſs to thy ſoul; and he commands his bleſſing upon thee; and thy faith and love do grow. Is it thus in any meaſure with thee? O then bleſs the Lord with thy ſoul; let all that is within thee bleſs his holy Name. Make the Lord thy glory, and triumphing praiſe: Thou haſt abundant reaſon to be admiring grace, and exalting divine glory. Becauſe,
Firſt, Soul-thriving is a great mercy at all times; a little ſpiritual goods is beyond all the World's treaſure; one piece of Chriſt's tried Gold weighs down all the Pearls and Diamonds on earth; and whatever can be found below grace, cannot be compar'd with it, Job. 28. 11, 12, 16. or named the ſame day with it: The light of God's countenance, pardon of ſin, participation of the ſpirit, fulfilling of Promiſes, fellowſhip with the Father, Son, and Spirit; heartbreathings after, love to, and delight in God, are things of ineſtimable worth; if you weigh them in themſelves, or with other things; or if you conſider the grace from whence they come, or price which they coſt: Spiritual thrivings are an evidence of ſincere love to God. Judg. 5. 31. Let them that love thy Name be as the Sun that goeth forth in his might, and of ſpecial love in God to that ſoul, Tit. 3. 4, 6. Eph. 1. 3, 5, 7. God may proſper in the World thoſe he hates; Eſau had his fat things here, but grace and peace are new-covenant-bleſſings, which ſpring from eternal love in the heart of God to that ſoul, Heb. 8. 10. Zech. 8. 11, 12, 15.
Secondly, 'Tis a ſingular mercy at this time, a mercy that few enjoy in the day we live in: What a rare thing is it, in this long winter, to ſee a green Olive, a tender Grape appear, or Pomgranate bud? Cant. 7. 6. or one Berry in the uppermoſt branch, Iſa. 24. 13. It was a peculiar glory put upon the head of Thyatira, that ſhe was thriving when other Churches were decaying: She had works, and works, and the last were more than the firſt, Rev. 2. 19. Epheſus had loſt her firſt love; Sardis had decayed and waſted her firſt ſtrength, and was ready to die: Laodicea was luke-warm, ready to be ſpued out by the Lord Jeſus, Rev. 3. 1, 8, 16. only Thyatira flouriſhed exceedingly, and grew in the winter; and this honour ſhe had, to have it recorded by the Spirit for a monument in after-ages. 'Tis not the lot of every one to thrive in evil times; few Theſſalonians whoſe faith and love did grow, 2 Theſ. 1. 3. A ſingle Timothy, who had flouriſhing affections to the things of Chriſt; I have no man like minded, Phil. 2. 20. One Gaius, whoſe ſoul out-proſpered his body, 3 Ep. Joh. v. 2. A flouriſhing Chriſtian this day is like a flower in winter, an Apple-tree amongſt the trees of the wood: Surely, if there be a Soul who this day flouriſhes to any heighth of Chriſtianity, who lives in intimacy with God, fares deliciouſly in his ſoul, feeding on marrow, and hidden manna; that he or ſhe is greatly beloved of God. Thy lot, O ſoul, is fal'n in a peculiar plot of mercies ground; and ſhould not the Lord Jeſus be admir'd of ſuch a one, ſeeing he is come to him in the fulneſs of the bleſſing of the Goſpel? O bleſs God for this unſpeakable gift!
Thirdly, 'Tis an earneſt of eternal mercy: They that ſow to the ſpirit ſhall reap life everlaſting, Gal. 6. 8. And ſuch as abound in holineſs, ſhall have an abundant entrance adminiſtred to them into the Kingdom of our Lord and Saviour, 2 Tet. 1. 11. God will never throw away ſavoury ſalt to the dunghil, nor burn up fruitful branches: Trees full of ſap are the Lord's trees, which he will tranſplant into his Paradiſe above, Pſal. 104. 16. The Lord's ripe fruit ſhall be gathered, not ſhaken on the ground; and ſafely hous'd in Heaven. Grace is too precious ſeed to be loſt; Such as ſow it now, though in tears, ſhall ſurely come again, and bring their ſheaves with them, Pſal. 126. 5.
Poor troubled Soul, God will not deſpiſe the day of thy ſmall things, much leſs thy ſoulenlargements after him; he will be tender of thy ſmalleſt bloſſoms, and ſecure them into fruit; much more ſhall thy encreaſes arrive to the fulneſs of the meaſure of the ſtature of Chriſt, Eph. 4. 15. God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which you have ſhewn towards his name, Heb. 6. 10. It may be thou haſt forgotten many a duty and hearty teſtimony of thy love to Chriſt, his name, people and ways; and canſt ſee nothing in all thou haſt done, but art ready to ſay on every turn; When ſaw I thee an hunger'd, and fed thee? or thirſty, and gave thee drink? when ſaw I thee a ſtranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? or ſick, and in priſon, and came to thee? Matth. 25. 35. But God cannot be ſo unrighteous to forget it, or let it paſs ſo; but keeps a record of all thy meaneſt duties, and will make the moſt of them in the day of righteous judgment. I know thy works, and thy labours, and thy patience, &c. Rev. 2. 2. When thou waſt under the Fig-tree I ſaw thee, Joh. 1. 48. He takes notice of a Daniel by the river Hiddekel; of a Peter on the houſe-top; of Elijah under the Juniper-tree, 1 King. 19. 4, 5. yea, of what was but in David's heart to do, and requites it, 8 King. 8. 18. Will not an Ahaſuerus let the good deeds of Mordecai go unrewarded? and ſhall not the Judg of all the Earth do right, and crown the works of his own hands? Your labours ſhall not be in vain in the Lord, 1 Cor. 15. 58. O then be bleſſing God for the leaſt good he hath wrought in you, and for you, for any proſperity in your ſouls. There are no offerings come up with that acceptance on God's Altar, as thankſgiving-offerings, Pſal. 69. 30, 31. What a delightful remark did the Lord Jeſus put upon the Lepers return to praiſe him for cleanſing, Luke, 17. 18. the more ſpiritual, the more rejoyeing, Iſa. 52. 8. No ſuch thriving ſouls, as God-praiſing ſouls: Jer. 31. 12. Therefore they ſhall come, and ſing in the heighth of Sion; and ſhall flow together to the goodneſs of the Lord for Wheat, and for Wine, and for Oil; and their ſoul ſhall be as a watred Garden, and they ſhall not ſorrow any more at all.
Queſt. How might I know whether I have good trading in Spirituals or no, that I might have ground for rejoycing in God? Could I find this ſoul-welfare you ſpeak of, I ſhould bleſs God with my whole ſoul; but I fear 'tis otherwiſe; that I am one of thoſe who fall back, and decay in my heavenly Trade.
Sol. There are ſeven ſigns of good Trading, eſpecially in evil times; which men uſually reckon to be diſcoveries of a thriving Trade.
Firſt, When men go not back in the World, but hold their own, they loſe nothing: 'Tis much in bad times to keep ones ground; to be ſavers in ſuch a ſeaſon is a piece of gain: Try in this how 'tis with you; do not you go back in your ſpiritual eſtate? is it not worſe with you than heretofore? Is not your faith, love, humility, patience leſs than heretofore? If you go not back in grace, you go forward; there's no ſtanding at a ſtay in Religion, men go forward or backward in the way of Vertue; they that do not decay, do thrive in Spirituals: Job proves his good eſtate by his ſtanding faſt in ſhaking times: Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lip; I have eſteemed the words of his mouth more than my neceſſary food: My foot hath held his ſteps; his way have I kept, and not declined, Job 23. 10, 11, 12. and thence concludes a gainful iſſue: When he hath tried me, I ſhall come forth as Gold. And the Apoſtle reckons it good profit, in ſoul-conflicts, to ſtand ones ground; if he cannot gain, yet not to loſe: But having done all, to ſtand, is victory, Eph. 6. 13. Chriſtians have their winterſeaſons, when growing is not viſible; then to keep alive, is commendable. Do you hold faſt your integrity? and keep your garments on? Do you preſerve your conſcience pure from the defilements and temptations of the day and place you live in? and your hearts unſpotted from the World? your deſires as warm, your purpoſes of cleaving to God as firm, and your feet as quick to run the way of God's commandments as heretofore? then have you good trading, conſidering the times you live in, which is an hour of temptation, and an evening of darkneſs.
Secondly, If wares go off well, 'tis good trading; when goods vend at a good rate, men count it thriving. Is it ſo with your ſouls? do your prayers come up to God with acceptance? do duties turn to any profit to you? what returns have you of your religious ſervices? do hearing, prayer, conference, bring you any ſoul-advantage? do not goods lie by you undiſpoſed of? but your graces are exerciſed, your talents, gifts, opportunities, improv'd; then 'tis good Trading. If the Lord give you light, you lay it out for the good of others; if he reſtore to you the joy of his ſalvation, and uphold you with his free Spirit, you teach tranſgreſſours his waies, and endeavour to convert ſinners to him, Pſal. 51. 12, 13. When God drops in comfort to you, you pour it forth to others, that they may be comforted alſo with the ſame comforts wherewith you are comforted of God, 2 Cor. 1. 4. When you are come to duties publick or private, do graces go out in them? you ſhew parts it may be, but do you lay out grace as well as gifts, ſpiritual as well as natural affections? Do you pray with the Spirit, and hear with Faith? do hope, fear, humility, holy fervency, heavenly breathings, ſincerity, go off in your religions duties? when you meet with company, what goods do you put off to them? Do you labour in every ſociety to vend ſomething of heavenly wares, to put off ſome holy counſel and inſtruction, ſome gracious experience and obſervation, to leave ſomething behind you in every place and company you come, that may faſten a ſavour of God on them? then is it good Trading, and you are in a ſoul-thriving way.
Thirdly, Men count it good Trading, when they are richer in ſtock, when they have more goods, more variety, greater quantity of wares, than firſt they had, and that clear too, and paid for; their ſhops and warehouſes are fuller than they were, and the goods their own alſo; this men reckon good Trading: And can you ſay 'tis thus with your ſouls alſo? Are you increaſed with ſpiritual goods? your graces are more as well as gifts, your faith, love, hope, fear, are more grown, and ſtronger than they were, 2 Theſ. 1. 3. Can you truſt God more than you could, and hang upon a naked promiſe more ſtrongly than you could, when ſight fails? 2 Cor. 5. 7. Can you think well of God when he frowns upon you? Can you love him when he corrects you? Iſa. 39. 8, Can you ſtay on him when he ſtrips you of your viſible comforts, and cleave to him when he ſeems to reject you? Job 13. v. 15. Then are you richer in ſtock.
Is your Faith more cleanſing and quickening, your Love more warming, your Zeal more fervent, your Hope more adventurous, your Patience more bearing, your Joy more delighting, your Humility more ſelf-abaſing? then are you encreaſed with goods. Have you more of every grace; it may be at firſt you had much affection, but little ſincerity; great deſires, but little faith; much comfort, but little patience and ſelf-denial; you could pray, talk, rejoyce, do ſome duties, but could not bear trials, want comforts, live by faith when ſight failed; you were much it may be in ſome duties, but negligent in others; but now you have more variety of graces, enlargement in duties, and more univerſal reſpect to all God's commands, Pſal. 119. 6. And if you are leſs in the bulk of duty, you are more in the ſpirit of it; when 'tis thus, there's a thriving Trade in Chriſtianity.
Fourthly, Are you leſs in debt than you were? that's another ſign of good Trading: Do you make conſcience of rendring to God again for all his benefits? Pſal. 116. 12, 13. Is it your trouble when you are behind-hand with grace, and fall in arreer to the mercy of God by your unthankfulneſs? Dan. 9. 10. Indeed, in compenſation of the grace of God you are defective; to make requitals of mercies you cannot; you ſee poſſibly an infinite ſhortneſs in your performances of the meaneſt favour that the Lord beſtows upon you; but ſuch as you have, you give to the Lord; you render all poſſible praiſes, though not all praiſes due, Exod. 15. 2. This you are careful of, and charge upon your hearts every day, to walk as becometh the grace that brings ſalvation, and the mercies beſtowed on you: 'tis the deſire of your heart and labour, to walk worthy of God to all wellpleaſing, and to anſwer the end of mercy in which you are willing beyond your ability, and grieve at your falling ſhort herein: Now this doth the Lord count for the deed, and accept at his peoples hands, as full pay, through the ſatisfaction of Jeſus Chriſt, 2 Cor. 8. 12. And where 'tis thus that perſons live in the daily ſenſe of Divine Grace, and grateful acknowledgment of every mercy, there is a thriving Trade in ſpirituals.
Fifthly, Have you much owed you, and is it ſecure? This alſo beſpeaks a thriving Trade: Men count ſure debts as good as ready money; though they have little in bags, yet if they have the more in book, and good debt too, they rate themſelves accordingly, and reckon themſelves worth ſo much as is due, as well as to what is in hand: And is it ſo with you Chriſtians? are you rich in promiſes? is much coming to you upon a new-covenant ſcore? It may be you have little in hand, little comfort, peace and ſweetneſs you meet with from day to day: You ſow much, but reap little; you ask, but have not, and yet ſeek with your whole heart: Goods are received, but no money returned; if ſo, you have good grounds of hope for a plentiful harveſt, becauſe you ſow ſtore of good ſeed; are much in holy duties, and ſincere in them; many a prayer upon the file, many a tear droped into God's bottle, much grace laid out in duty, and time ſpent in it, a daily care to pleaſe God, and upon Scripturegrounds can lay claim to many a promiſe on the account of Chriſt: What you ſow, you ſhall reap, Gal. 6. 8. Your labour ſhall not be in vain in the Lord, 2 Cor. 15. v. 58. Say unto the righteous, it ſhall be well with them, for they ſhall eat the fruit of their doings, Iſa. 3. 10. And the leſs is received, the more is behind. Improvements of grace do book down many a mercy for Believers, which poſſibly they may not receive all their life, and yet be ſure, and turns to account in the Inheritance prepared for them; and this is good Trading which brings in bonds and bills that are ſure, and ſhall be paid to Heavenly Traders in their own Countrey.
Sixthly, That's good Trading where the preſent incomes maintain the Trader, and ſo much is got by it as they may live by; when a perſon can live comfortably upon his gettings, without impairing the ſtock: If it be ſo with the Believer in thy Heavenly Trade, then haſt thou good Trading. Try Chriſtians, your thriving by your livelihood! can you live comfortably upon the fruits of Religion, Cant. 2. 3. Iſa. 40. 31. doth your Religion maintain your Souls and Graces well? Joh. 4. 30. at what rate do you live? Men that thrive in the world uſually live well, have good fare, and good cloathing: Diet, Apparel, Expences, do ſoon ſhew mens gettings; Indeed Prodigals may ſpend high, live well for a time, but then they cannot hold it; they ſoon break, but when men can bear liberal expences, and their Eſtates not impaired, it argues ſuch do thrive apace, and get well in their Trades; ſo 'tis with thriving Chriſtians, they ordinarily live at a higher rate of peace and comfort than others, Pſ. 119. 165. Pſ. 80. 19. their fare is better, unleſs the health of their Souls do ſometimes call to faſting and affliction; ſtrong Chriſtians, overcoming Souls, have better Proviſions promis'd them than others: ſuch feed on hidden Manna, Rev. 2. 17. and marrowy bits; milk is for babes, but ſtrong meat for ſtrong men, Prov. 21. 15. 'Tis joy to the just to do judgment: Joy and Pleaſure (ſaith Mercer) is the fruit of wel-doing to ſuch: hLaetitia obvenit ci ex juſte factis ſuis.Such can expend more than others, who have larger proportion of Bleſſings on their Souls. A perſon may be truly gracious, and yet live uncomfortably in his Soul, and in the wayes of God; but he that thrives in Godlineſs, hath larger incomes of ſweetneſs and peace, and makes many a merry meal on the review of his integrity, and the grace of God in and towards him, Pſal. 112. 2.
Seventhly, Layings up, as well as layings out beſpeaks good Trading, when men fill their bags and enlarge their poſſeſſions, turn Purchaſers, and begin to join houſe to houſe, and field to field, then they manifeſtly ſhew their thrivings: So when Souls thrive in their Heavenly Trade, they begin to lay up for Heaven, and to be preparing for another world; they lay up Treaſure in Heaven, Mat. 6. 21. get bags that wax not old: weak Chriſtians are all for their comforts here, how they may maintain their peace and pleaſure in the way; but ſtrong Chriſtians, thriving Souls, they have their thoughts upon their journeys end, and to make proviſions for their future ſtate: Bread and Water contents them here, Gen. 28. 20. a little ſpending Money in the way to help them home is all they indent for: But their chiefeſt care is to lay up for Heaven; When ſhall I provide for mine own houſe, ſaith Jacob, Gen. 30. 30? So the thriving Chriſtian is thoughtful about his houſe in Heaven, to make all the proviſions he can for that; he will lay up in ſtore a good foundation to lay hold on eternal life, 1 Tim. 6. 19. he is for ſecuring all he can for Heaven, and for ſuch works as will follow him; he will turn all he may into moveables, that he may tranſmit them into his Countrey. The intereſts of this world are ſtak'd down to the earth, and cannot be removed; but thriving Chriſtians are for ſuch goods as they can knock up, and carry with them to their own home: They ſtrive to pray, hear, think, ſpeak, do, ſuffer, and all for eternity: their affections are gone before to Heaven, while their bodies are impriſon'd in the World. As 'tis ſaid of the Athenians, when beſieged by Sylla, their hearts were with him without the walls, whiles their bodies were forc'd to ſerve within aAnimos extra moenia, corpora neceſſitati, ſervientes intra muros habuerint. Paterc.. So 'tis with enriched Chriſtians; the World is a Priſon to them, a ſtrange Countrey where they have been ſent to trade; and when they have fill'd their ſacks, and got all they can, they long to depart into their own Countrey. By theſe things (Chriſtians) may you know what kind of Trade you drive for Heaven; and what ſhare you have in this great engagement to thankſgiving.
Object. All this makes againſt me, and confirms my juſt fears that I am a ſtranger to ſpiritual thrivings; I now ſee 'tis a pittiful Trade I drive in godlineſs: I profeſs, hear, pray, perform duties, enjoy priviledges, but am never the better. O how may I write loſt labour on all my performances! I need no greater proof than theſe evidences; nor other judge than my own conſcience, to convince my languiſhing ſoul of daily waſtes and poverty in my heavenly Trade: What ſhall I do to get my caſe mended, and once attain to true thrivings in this holy Calling.
Sol. There are four things which uſually make men thriving in their earthly Trades; which do alſo contribute to proſperity in this heavenly Merchandiſe.
1 A provident care.
2 A diligent hand.
3 A ſecret trade.
4 A divine bleſſing.
Firſt, Men that are thriving in the World are provident and careful to prevent their dangers, to ſecure their intereſts, and proportion means to their advantage. And ſo muſt Chriſtians that think ever to flouriſh in godlineſs: what loſſes and miſcarriages in Religion might a provident care prevent? were temptations way-laid, and corruptions timely guarded againſt, ſouls might eſcape many ſurpriſals of ſin, and abatements in grace: Never think to proſper in holineſs, till you are provident to prevent its weaknings, and contribute all you may towards its ſtrength and enlargement. One enjoys a good frame of ſoul, much peace and joy in believing; and for want of watchfulneſs loſeth all again. Another hath got a little power over his corruptions for a time, and for want of a provident care to avoid enſnaring occaſions, is overcome again. Another hath a choice advantage put into his hand for ſpiritual good, but not exerciſing a timely care and preparation to improve it, miſcarries in all his hopes and labours; and by theſe changes and interruptions their ſpiritual welfare is impeded: Go learn of the Ant, ſhe provideth her meat in Summer, Prov. 6. 6, 8. Be wiſe as Serpents, they decline danger as ſoon as ſeen, and guard their nobleſt part, though with the hazard of their All, Matth. 19. 16. Walk circumſpectly as wiſe, Eph. 5. 15. O how happy might Chriſtians be, were they as provident for their ſouls as they are for their bodies! and did exerciſe their reaſon, care and fore-ſight to further their ſpiritual intereſts; and without this provident care, never think to proſper in this heavenly Merchandiſe. Take heed of grace-waſting ſins, of any ſecret luſt allowed, or ſweet morſel rouled under your tongue, that will prove a moth in your ſpiritual eſtate, and keep you low in your heavenly intereſts. Souls under ſome perplexing luſt, are like Iſrael under the prevailing hand of Midian againſt them, Judg. 6. 3, 4, 6. When Iſrael had ſown, the Midianites came up, and the Amalekites, and the children of the Eaſt, and they encamped againſt them, and deſtroyed the encreaſe of the earth, and left no ſuſtenance for Iſrael, neither Sheep, nor Ox, nor Aſs;—and Iſrael was greatly impoveriſhed: So 'tis with ſuch; no ſooner have they got any mercy, frame, experience, hope, or ſoul-advantage, but preſently a prevailing luſt riſeth up, and deſtroys all: Cry unto the Lord as Iſrael did, until he deliver you from every iniquity: make no peace with any corruption, never let it reſt till wholly deſtroyed if you think to proſper in your ſouls and converſations. Be provident alſo to take all advantages for godlineſs, watching your opportunities for every duty, keeping every ſoul-market and fair, and taking the beſt ſeaſon to lay out grace, and get in profit, Prov. 8. 34. Be careful to get ſome good from every thing, and to keep and ſave what you have; and this will tend to ſoul-thriving, Acts 2. 46.
Secondly, A diligent hand tends to thriving; men that proſper in the World take pains, and follow their employments; riſing early, ſitting up late, neglecting no buſineſs that may help on to profiting. So muſt you that intend to thrive in Religion; you muſt make it your buſineſs, you muſt be labourers in God's Vineyard, Joh. 6. 27. and workmen indeed that need not be aſhamed, 2 Tim. 2. 15. Chriſtians for the moſt part are too ſlothful in their ſpiritual buſineſs, to have their profiting appear: it will coſt you more ſtriving to enter into the ſtrait-gate, and get ground in the narrow way that leads to life; more blows muſt paſs before your enemies will down, and more ſtrokes at your work before your intereſts will come in: Running, ſtriving, wreſtling; in labours more abundant, in wearineſs, and painfulneſs, in watchings: What pains will men take for the World? She riſeth alſo while it is night,—Her candle goeth not out by night: That neither day nor night ſeeth ſleep with his eyes. Ye compaſs Sea and Land; and ſhould they not much more for Heaven? The moſt diligent ſoul is the moſt thriving ſoul; Always abounding in the work of the Lord; inſtant in ſeaſon, and out of ſeaſon; taking every opportunity for Heaven: And what their hand finds to do, to do it with all their might; this is the way to ſoul-thriving, 1 Cor. 9. 24, 25. Heb. 12. 4. Eph. 6. 12. 1 Cor. 11. 23, 27. Prov. 31. 15. 18. Eccleſ. 8. 16. Matth. 23. 15. Eccleſ. 9. 10.
Thirdly, Driving a ſecret Trade of holineſs, is ſoul-thriving: Men that have ſome peculiar art, and unknown myſtery in their Trade which is not ordinary and common, uſually get greateſt cuſtom and advantage: So is it in this heavenly Trade; the more men are taken up in the myſteries of Godlineſs, 1 Tim. 3. 16. the more they thrive in Religion. There's a ſecret in holineſs, which no ſtranger intermeddles with, Prov. 14. 10. There's a way within the veil; the hidden part in which ſouls are made to know wiſdom; Pſal. 51. 6. Hidden riches of ſecret places, which thriving Chriſtians meet with, Iſa. 45. 3. If you would proſper in Godlineſs, be ſure to maintain the ſecret duties of piety: The religion of moſt men lies in the Market place, and in the view of others; their hearts, their cloſets are not privy to any ſecret tranſactions between God and their ſouls; and in the praiſe of men they have their reward: but the thriving trade of Chriſtianity, is the ſecret trade. Chriſtians be moſt in thoſe duties which men leaſt obſerve, and chiefly excellent in the inviſible part of your viſible work: Publick duties are moſt honourable, but ſecret duties the moſt gainful. Matth. 6. 4. And thy Father which ſeeth in ſecret, ſhall reward thee openly.
Fourthly, The bleſſing of God maketh rich: Prov. 10. 22. Promotion cometh not from the Eaſt, nor from the Weſt; nor proſperity from mens fingers ends, but from God's hand. Deut. 28. 8, 10, 11, 12. The Lord ſhall command his bleſſing upon thee; in thy ſtore-houſes, and in all which thou ſetteſt thy hand unto:—The Lord ſhall make thee plenteous in goods:—The Lord ſhall open to thee his good treaſures; the Heavens to give thee rain to thy Land in his ſeaſon, and to bleſs all the work of thy hand: (and then comes riches) And thou ſhalt lend udto many Nations, and thou ſhalt not borrow: Proſperity, both ſpiritual and temporal, comes at God's ſending: Pſal. 118. 25. O Lord, I beſeech thee, ſend now proſperity: Pſal. 18. 32, 33. He reſtoreth my Soul, he leadeth me in the paths of righteouſneſs: Pſal. 23. 3, 5. Thou anointeſt my head with Oil: Thou bleſſeſt the ſpringing thereof; thy paths drop fatneſs: Pſal. 65. 10, 11. The Lord ſhall guide thee continually, and ſatisfy thy ſoul in drought, and make fat thy bones; and thou ſhalt be like a watred Garden, and like a ſpring of water, whoſe waters fail not, Iſa, 58. 11. I will be as the dew to Iſrael, he ſhall grow as the Lilly, and caſt forth his root as Lebanon, Hoſ. 14. 5. Secure an intereſt in the promiſes, and get your ſouls brought under the ſhowers of bleſſing, if ever you think to thrive in godlineſs. Improve thriving graces, and take proſperous courſes; theſe are under a promiſe of bleſſing: though every grace and duty do in their meaſure help on ſoulproſperity, yet there are ſome graces and duties have a more ſpecial influence on ſpiritual thrivings.
Firſt, Faith is a ſoul-proſpering grace: 2 Chr. 20. 20. Believe in the Lord your God, ſo ſhall ye be eſtabliſhed: believe his Prophets, ſo ſhall ye proſper. Eph. 6. 16. Above all take the ſhield of Faith, wherewith ye ſhall quench all the fiery darts of Satan, foreign, inſuper, Bez. Every grace is uſeful in the ſpiritual warfare, but Faith eſpecially: other graces may (with Saul) ſlay their thouſands; but Faith (with David) ſlays its ten thouſands: Some darts may be quenched by other graces, but Faith quenches fiery darts, yea all the fiery darts of Satan, which does wonderfully further thriving: The juſt ſhall live by Faith, Heb. 10. 38. Faith will maintain the ſoul's life in the greateſt ſtraits and exigences: Faith is a receiving grace, it takes in whatever is laid up in the promiſe; and that's thriving. Gal. 3. 22. That the promiſe by Faith might be given to them that believe. A ſoul-enriching grace, rich in Faith, Jam. 2. 5. A working grace, And the work of Faith with power, 2 Theſ. 2. 4. A powerful grace; it gives the ſoul experience of the mighty power of God. Eph. 1. 19. 20. What is the exceeding greatneſs of his power to usward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, which he wrought in Chriſt, when he raiſed him from the dead, 1 Theſ. 2. 13. 'Tis a ſtrengthning grace: Out of weakneſs were made ſtrong, Heb. 11. 34. through it doth the Lord let out his abundant grace: And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love, which is in Chriſt Jeſus, 1 Tim. 1. 14. It doth exceedingly nouriſh the ſoul in grace, and edify it to ſalvation: 1 Tim. 4. 6. Nouriſhed up in the words of Faith, 1. Tim. 1, 4. Which miniſter queſtions rather than edifying which is in Faith: One reaſon why ſouls proſper no more in piety is their unbelief; they are full of doubtings, fears, and queſtionings upon every turn, ſtill wavering as a wave of the Sea; ſuch cannot receive much at the hand of God, but are ſtill weak, and going back in Religion. Be much in believing the promiſes againſt hope, and above fears, if ever you think to proſper in Religion.
Secondly, Love to God, his Name, ways and intereſt is a Soul-proſpering Grace. Let them that love him, be as the Sun that goeth forth in his might: Judg. 5. 31. They ſhall proſper that love thee, Pſal. 122. 6. Let them alſo that love thy name be joyful in thee, for thou Lord wilt bleſs the righteous, with favour wilt thou compaſs him as with a Shield, Pſal. 5. 11, 12. Love to God muſt needs be a proſpering Grace, becauſe it brings the Soul under the bleſſing of God, and within the compaſs of his ſecuring Shield, Love is a Soul-ſtrengthning and eſtabliſhing Grace. Eph. 3. 17, Being rooted and grounded in Love, foreign, ſet in a firm ground, not eaſily ſhaken from God or their integrity. Love makes a growing Soul. Eph. 4. 15, Speaking the truth in love may grow up in him, who is the head in all things. It helps on edification in Grace, ver. 16. maketh encreaſe of the body unto the edifying of it ſelf in love: Love conſtrains the Soul after God, makes his commands pleaſant, and quickens the heart to make haſt in the way to Glory; the more you love God, the more will you proſper in Godlineſs.
Thirdly, Humility is a Soul-proſpering Grace, and under a promiſed Bleſſing. Prov. 29. 23, Honour ſhall uphold the humble in ſpirit; kSuſtentat. Munſt. foreignſhall bear him up from falling, and bring him unto honour (ſaith Montanus) Prov. 15. 33, By humility are riches and honour: The humble Soul muſt needs be a thriving Soul, for God giveth Grace to it, Jam. 4. 6. yea, dwelleth with the humble to revive the Spirit of the humble, Iſa. 57. 15. There's a great deal of Pride in moſt Chriſtians, and that hinders Soul-thriving, proud of Parts and Grace, proud under ſeeming humility, proud of humility; Low Valleys are fruitful, when lofty Mountains are barren: The rich ſit in a low place: Eccl. 10. 6, Such as are rich in wiſdom lDivites quibus adſit ſapientia.(ſaith Mercer) they ſit in a low place; they come down, and lie low in themſelves, mIn ipſa abjectione. Jun. Trem.folly is ſet in great dignity: Poor, fooliſh, empty Creatures, they are high in conceit as well as place, many times; but the moſt rich and thriving Souls, theſe are pooreſt in Spirit, and loweſt in their own eyes; the richer the Metal, the heavier; Gold weighs down Silver and Tin; the fuller of fruits branches are, the more they bow: He ſendeth the ſprings into the valleys, Pſal. 104. 10. Pſal. 65. 13. They are covered over with Corn: Vineyards thrive beſt in low places: One branch of Grapes from the Valley of Eſhcol, was ſaid to be a burden for two men, Numb. 13. 23. would you flouriſh in Grace? take heed of Pride: Pride in the Soul, (ſaith one) is like the ſpleen in the body, when that ſwelleth, all the other parts languiſh: 'tis poiſon at the root of the tree, which corrupts the ſap—'Tis ſo dangerous a poiſon, that of another poiſon there was confected a counterpoiſon to preſerve Paul from it: would you proſper in Godlineſs? be perſons of low, humble ſpirits, (Mr. Adams on 2 Pet.) 2 Cor. 12. 7. Exalt him that is low, and abaſe him that is high, Ezek. 21. 26.
Fourthly, Another choice fruit of the Spirit which will further Soul-thriving, is ſincerity: Prov. 14. 11, The tabernacle of the upright ſhall flouriſh: They ſhall have good things in poſſeſſion, Prov. 28. 10. they ſhall not only be preſerv'd from evil, and eſcape the pit into which the wicked fall; but ſhall be ſure to meet with good; Bleſſings, good things ſhall be given to them as their inheritance, as Aquila and Theodoſius interpret it, foreign, Thou ſheweſt mercy to thy Servants, that walk before thee with all their heart, 2 Chron. 6. 14. He that hath clean hands and a pure heart, who hath not lift up his Soul to vanity, nor ſworn deceitfully, he ſhall receive the bleſſing from the Lord, and righteouſneſs from the God of his Salvation, Pſal. 24. 4, 5. Upright Souls muſt needs proſper, they dwell in the preſence of God, Pſal. 140. 13. He will withhold no good thing from them, Pſal. 84. 11. His countenance beholds them, Pſal. 11. 7. God engages his alſufficiency for their good, Gen. 17. 1. They ſhall hold on their way, and wax ſtronger and ſtronger, Job 17. 9. and ſhall ſurely proſper. 2 Chron. 31. 21, In every work that he began in the ſervice of the houſe of God, and in the Law, and in the Commandments, to ſeek his God, he did it with all his heart, and proſpered: 'tis not thy many Duties before God, but the Oneneſs of thy heart with God: nor the bulk of thy Services, but the ſincerity of thy Soul, which will make thee profperous in thy heavenly intereſts.
Again, Take thriving courſes, proſperous ways, as well as proſpering Graces, theſe are under a promiſed Bleſſing alſo. Not to multiply particulars: There are four thriving ways in which Chriſtians may attain to a proſperous Trade in Chriſtianity.
The way of
1. Self-Examination.
2. Prayer.
3. Enjoyment of God.
4. Obedience.
Firſt, Be often examining; and calling your ſelves to an account how matters ſtand with your Souls: Traders that would be thriving will be often viewing their Books, and trying their Accompts, and have ſome ſet days, when they ſurvey their Goods, caſt up their Books, and try whether they gain, or loſe; and ſo muſt Chriſtians that would profit in Religion, they muſt be often judging themſelves, that they be not judged, 1 Cor. 11. 31. they muſt caſt up their accompts, and try their ſtate whether they go forward or backward: Hag. 1. 5. Conſider your ways: try how the caſe ſtands with you, whether you get or loſe, and what's the cauſe of all thoſe blaſtings that are upon you, Pſal. 4. 4, Commune with your hearts upon your beds, and be ſtill: 2 Cor. 13. 5, Examine your ſelves whether you be in the faith, prove your own ſelves; know ye not your own ſelves, how that Jeſus Chriſt is in you except you be reprobates. The neglect of this examination is one cauſe of that great miſtake of perſons about their Soul-ſtate, ſome thinking themſelves better, Rev. 3. 17. others judging themſelves worſe than they are: which begets ſecurity in ſome, diſcouragement in others, error and floth in all. A right eſtimate of thy ſpiritual capacity, either poverty or riches, gain or loſs is abſolutely needful to regulate thy duty unto a right affecting of thy heart, and advance of thy ſpiritual intereſts: Look over the Day-book of thy heart and life every night, poſting all thy accompts on the large book of thy Conſcience, and take ſome ſpecial time for a more full ſurvey of thy Soul and ſtate for Eternity; this will be of good uſe to further Soul-thriving.
Secondly, If you would proſper in your Souls, be much and mighty with God in Prayer: 'Tis ſaid of Ʋzziah, that he ſought God in the days of Zechariah, who had underſtanding in the viſions of God, and as long as he ſought the Lord, God made him to proſper, 2 Chron. 26. 5. Right Prayer is a wonderful way to Soulenrichings: He (ſaith one) can never be poor that can pray well: One reaſon why this King proſpered as long as he ſought the Lord, was, by this means he came to the viſions of God, and that help'd him to take a right way to proſpetity. By Prayer you adviſe with God, what courſe to take towards mercy: 'tis your Ephod by which you ask counſel of God where to go to ſhun danger, and what to do to carry on Duty, and obtain Mercy, 2 Sam. 23. 6. 9. Chap. 30. 7. and by Prayer you procure and get out the Graces and Supplies you need, 1 Chron, 4. 10, And Jabeſh called on the God of Iſrael, ſaying, O that thou wouldſt bleſs me indeed, and enlarge my coaſts, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldſt keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me: and God granted him that he requeſted. Prayer brings down the Spirit ſometimes inſenſible and almoſt intolerable meaſures thereof. When that precious Servant of the Lord Mr. Bruce in Scotland (of whom King James ſaid he was worthy of the half of his Kingdom) had ſadly repreſented the Churches caſe, then under eminent danger, there was ſuch a ſenſible down-pouring of the Spirit, that they could hardly contain themſelves; yea, an unuſual motion on thoſe who were in other parts of the houſe, not knowing the cauſe of it at that time. O what great things did Abraham, Jacob, Moſes, Jehoſhaphat, Samuel, Elijah, and other Servants of God, get out of the hand of God! Luther was a mighty man in Prayer, 'tis ſaid of him, he could get of God what he would, nIlle vir potuit quod voluit.nothing is too hard for Faith and Prayer, becauſe it ſeeks nothing but what God is willing to ſpare, and hath promiſed to give: Labour to get a mighty Spirit of Prayer; the gift of Prayer will not do, it muſt be the Spirit of Prayer, which is a pure, and heartcleanſing Spirit, and cannot dwell with the leaſt regarded Sin: Gifts of Prayer with natural affections may be mighty on the Spirits of men, but are no way prevailing with God for the Bleſſing: 'Tis ſaid of Naaman, He was a mighty man in valour, but he was a leper, 2 Kings 5. 1. So there are ſome that ſeem mighty men in Prayer, and can wonderfully raife the affections of others; pray like Angels, but all the while are Lepers, under the ruling power of ſome ſecret luſt; pride, paſſion, covetouſnneſs, uncleanneſs, and the like, which they hide vnderunder their tongue; but ſuch are far from this mighty power of prayer, which brings down the Spirit on their own hearts or others. Ah Chriſtians! if you would proſper in grace, get and improve the Spirit of Grace and Supplication.
Thirdly, Another thriving way is to engage God with you in all your undertakings. 'Twas this made Joſeph ſo proſperous in all he did; God was with him. Gen. 39. 23. Becauſe the Lord was with him; and that which he did, he made it to proſper: 2 Sam. 5. 10. And David went on, and grew great, and the Lord God of Hoſts was with him: 'Twas not his wiſdom, valour, nor any means he uſed, but the gracious preſence of God with him that made him to grow ſo great: This made Solomon to proſper; 2 Chron. 22. 11. Now my Son, the Lord be with thee, and proſper thee. When perſons loſe the gracious preſence of God, they ſoon find an alteration, and begin to wither and decay in their ſoul-comforts and proſperity: Thou did'ſt hide thy face, and I was troubled, Pſal. 30. 6. Troubled like a withered flower, that loſeth ſap and vigour, [Mr. Leigh.] Jonah ſoon found a change in his ſoul; it ceaſed to be with him as before, when once he fled from the preſence of God: He never had a good day after he loſt the preſence of God, but ſtorms, tempeſts, ſhipwrack of peace, ſafety and proſperity, and a caſting into the deeps of diſtreſs, and ruining dangers, Jonah. 1. 3, 10. Ah Chriſtians! as you love your ſouls, and your ſpiritual welfare, take heed of loſing God's gracious preſence; whoſe company ſoever you loſe, keep the Lord's preſence with you; abide with him, and he will abide with you: 2 Chron. 15. 2. The Lord is with you while you be with him; and if you ſeek him, he will be found of you: Put away the unclean thing, and he will dwell in you, and walk in you, 2 Cor. 6. 16. Love him, and keep his commandments, and he will take up his abode with you, Joh. 14. 23. Content not your ſelves with any priviledg except you have God with you: If thy preſence go not with us, carry us not up hence, Exod. 33. 15. I proteſt (ſaith Mr. Bruce, when wreſtling for the preſence of God with him in his going to preach) I will not go except thou go with me.
Fourthly, Follow the counſel of God, if you would thrive in the work and way of God: Joſh. 1. 8. This Book of the Law ſhall not depart out of thy mouth, but thou ſhalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayeſt obſerve to do according to all that is written therein; for then thou ſhalt make thy way proſperous, and then thou ſhalt have good ſucceſs: Jer. 38. 20. Obey, I beſeech thee, the voice of the Lord which I ſpeak unto thee; ſo it ſhall be well unto thee, and thy ſoul ſhall live. One cauſe why men proſper no more in Religion, is, that little conſcience they make of doing the will of God: men hear, but forget the word; others know their Lord's will, but prepare not themſelves to do it. We live in an age of notions, not of motion after God; like men that ſee Countries in a Map, but care not to travel into them; bare knowledg pleaſeth moſt: Mens zeal after truth, is like Abſalom's love to his Father David, only to ſee him, not to ſerve him: 2 Sam. 14. 32. Let me ſee the King's face; which he no ſooner did, but conſpired againſt him: So moſt care for no more than to behold truth, not to dwell with it; and hence 'tis that proſperity is ſuch a ſtranger to them: 'Twas not directions could heal Naaman of his leproſy, but obedience; he was never the better till he followed the Prophet's counſel, and waſhed in Jordan: that which made the ground rain'd upon, to be nigh to curſing, was not bringing forth fruit meet for them, by whom 'twas dreſſed, Heb. 6. 8. Do not only ſeek after, but walk after the truth, if you think to proſper in Religion, Jam. 1. 25. The doers of the word ſhall be bleſſed in their deed.
Object. 'Tis the deſire of my ſoul to live in the exerciſe of every grace, and diſcharge of every duty; and ſome weak endeavours I have had, though too too ſhort; with many cries for this ſoul-proſperity, but cannot yet attain unto it: Methinks I am like a wither'd arm, a dry tree, and barren womb, nothing doth me good; no food, ſeed or ſhowers make me thriving and fruitful: I fear I ſhall be at laſt cut down, and bundled for the fire.
Sol. Firſt, Thou mayeſt thrive in Religion, and not know it for a ſeaſon; thy profiting may be, though not appear: The Tradeſman may bring home gain in his purſe, though untold: men know not their gettings till they caſt up their accounts: thy proſperity may be as a casked Jewel, and friend under diſguiſe. If you would eſtimate your advantage, ſurvey your ſelves, compare your preſent with your former ſtate; what were you? what are you? ſpeak out ſoul: was there not a time when thou wert blind, thou could'ſt ſee no evil in ſin, nor excellency in grace? but now thy eye is opened, and things appear otherwiſe to thy ſoul than they did: Now there is nothing ſo vile as thy wicked heart, and waies; and nothing ſo deſirable as Chriſt and holineſs.
Thou wert once dead in ſin, thou did'ſt not feel or fear any hurt in it, or danger by it; but now 'tis otherwiſe: thou can'ſt not ſin, but thy conſcience ſmites thee: nor God threaten, but it affrights thee: thy quick-ey'd conſcience ſoon eſpies the leaſt failing in thy duty, falſeneſs in thy heart, or error in thy life; and, as a Serjeant, arreſts thee, and hales thee to the Judg. Thou could'ſt formerly live without God, and be as ſtill as the dead body in the grave, and the burning brand in the fire: but now as a bone out of joynt, thou art reſtleſs till in communion with him: I remembred God, and was troubled, Pſal. 77. 3.
Thou wert gone out of the way; yea an enemie to the way of life, turn'd aſide to the flock of his companions, and did'ſt turn again, and rend thoſe that were of them. But now thou art folded with the flocks of Chriſt, and feedeſt beſides the Shepherds Tents, Cant. 1. 8. Thy foot hath held his ſteps, and thou eſteemeſt the word of his mouth more than thy neceſſary food, Job 23. 11, 12.
Object. But may not an hypocrite go ſo far, and all this be no more than a change from darkneſs to conſcience-light, and from ſin to common grace.
Sol. Common light cannot ſee a deſirableneſs in Chriſt for himſelf, nor bring the ſoul to count all things droſs and dung to win him, and obtain the excellency of the knowledg of Chriſt as thy Lord; but ſaving light ſees one Chriſt worth ten thouſand Worlds, and quits all to take him. Phil. 3. 8.
Common light ſees no evil in ſin; but guilt, and torment, loſs of comfort, and ſenſe of puniſhment, Gen. 4. 13. but true grace, when in exerciſe, loaths ſin when it pretends love; and flies from ſin when it makes largeſt proffers; and fears ſin when it ſees no danger, when there is no breach on preſent comfort feeled, or danger of future miſery feared, Tit. 2. 11, 12. The gracious ſoul, like Joſeph, when tempted with flattery, ſecur'd with ſecreſie, purſued with reſtleſs importunity to wickedneſs, yet cannot cloſe with it, and ſin againſt God, Gen. 39. 9.
Common light can dwell with works of darkneſs, and conſiſt with an unſanctified heart and life, 2 Pet. 2. 1, 2. Common light and luſt never fall out but when it awakens conſcience, or weakens intereſts: but ſaving grace cannot bear that which is evil, Rev. 2. 2. or ever be brought to a treaty with ſin, in order to an agreement, Gal. 5. 17. but, with Sarah, can never be at reſt till the bond-woman and her ſon be turn'd out of door, Gen. 21. 10. Common grace may be offended at ſin, but never hates ſin; there is no contrariety founded in their nature or difference, but what may upon terms be made up, Luke 23. 12. And if it ſeems to have an indignation againſt ſin, yet 'tis not againſt every ſin, and at all times, nor irreconcilable at any time: but ſaving grace hates the very being of ſin, 2 Cor. 7. 11. And as the Tyger flies at the very picture of a man, ſo doth Grace abhor the appearance of evil: 'Tis univerſal againſt the whole ſpecies, and every kind of ſin; an enmity founded in the nature of grace, and therefore irreconcilable, Pſal. 139. 22. and derived from the riches of grace, Pſ. 97. 10. and greatneſs of redemption-love: It cannot be reconciled to ſin, becauſe ſin cannot be reconciled to grace, or admit of any love to, or enjoyment of God; but ſtill interrupts the ſoul's tranquillity, holineſs and pleaſure in God, his chiefeſt and only good.
Again, Common light can live without ſpecial acquaintance with God, Eph. 2. 13. [afar of,] if it can have peace, becauſe its Countrey is nouriſhed by the King's Countrey, Act. 12. 20. and its welfare depends upon divine pleaſure, 'tis all it looks for: but ſaving grace gets within the veil, Heb. 6. 19. approaches the mercyſeat, where it converſes with God. To be called by his name will not content grace; no, nor to eat his bread, and wear his rayment, except it enjoys his bed alſo: it longs for intimate communion with God, Pſal. 101. 2. O, when wilt thou come unto me? It loves the Bridechamber, cloſet, and ſecret corners with him; never thinking it ſelf near enough to, or long enough with him.
Obj. But change from nature to grace, is not growth in grace: though I may have received the former rain, and reaped the firſt fruits of the Spirit; yet I fear I have not the latter rain, and after-fruits of grace: waterings and dreſſings do not make me fruitful, or feedings make me grow: and that's the caſe you inſiſt on.
Sol. 1. There may be fruit, though not appearing; and growth, though unſeen: Chriſt hath under-ground-fruit, which may not ſpring up to thy own view, or others, Pſ. 88. 5. [Free among the dead,] as berries hid among the leaves, which cannot be ſeen till winter-ſtorms or ſhaking times come: thou mayeſt thrive more inwardly than outwardly, and be like the windows of the Temple, wide within, and narrow without; you may grow more in the truth and parts of grace, though leſs in the fruits of grace for a ſeaſon; thy ſincerity may be more, though thy ſhews be leſs; you may grow more downward in humility, ſelf-abaſement, ſorrow for ſin, though not upward in joys and bloſſoms of comfort; thou mayeſt grow more out of thy ſelf, and into Chriſt, as the root of all thy grace, and foundation of thy foul-reſt, though not into ſenſible frames and workings of grace. Art thou more ſenſible of thy own nothingneſs? thy heart-deceitfulneſs? ſelf-inſufficiency? inward diſorders? ſoul-wants? ſinfulneſs? hypocriſie? barrenneſs? then thou profiteſt, Rom. 7. 18. Art thou more jealous of thy heart every day, 2 Cor. 9. 27? more weary of thy ſelf? and longing after Chriſt? having a higher valuation of his excellency, and greater breathings after his quickning ſpirit, and delighting preſence, Phil. 3. 8? this is profiting.
Secondly, It may be thy concluſion ſprings from thy impatiency; thou mayeſt be for haſty fruit, not allowing time for its growth and maturity. The Husbandman waits for the precious fruits of the earth, Jam. 5. 7. before he can enjoy them, or eſtimate their worth: Thy hopes, labours and profit may be buried under the clods for a while: We cannot ſow and reap (ſaith one) in a day: The more excellent and durable the fruit is, the longer is it before it comes to maturity: rare ripe fruits are ſoon rotten: hypocrites bloſſom a pace, and caſt their leaves as faſt, Mat. 13. 21. Though 'tis matter of ſhame, that thoſe trees which have leſs earth, and leaſt nouriſhment, ſhould grow faſteſt; yet the reaſon is, they take up no time in getting root, and growing downward; and hence all their growth is outward. Thirdly, It may be 'tis a winter-time with thy ſoul; the Sun of Righteouſneſs is withdrawn from thee, and thy lightſom daies are gone, Cant. 2. 11, 12. The Comforter that ſhould have relieved thy ſoul, is far from thee, Lam. 1. 16. It may be thou haſt ſinn'd away his warming preſence, and loſt thy firſt ſpring; hence 'tis the flowers do not appear: Yet here's thy comfort, though thy winter be not a time of fruit, yet God will make it to thee a time toward fruitfulneſs.