The Right Receiving of Christ, Preface · Chapter 13
CHAP. XIII.
It is not enough for a Chriſtian to profeſſe, and beare the Name of Chriſt, but he muſt be Rooted in him.
CHriſtians muſt be Rooted Chriſtians: Chriſt is the ſoyle of a Chriſtian ſoule, and a Chriſtian ſoule muſt Roote in this ſoyle. That looke as Bildad ſpeakes in another caſe of a wicked mans outward eſtate, and flouriſhing in the world, Job 8. 17. His rootes are wrapped about the heape, and ſees the place of ſtones; that is, he rootes deeply, and ſpreads about his roots, like a tree that hath its roots folded in the earth, and whoſe roots run in amongſt the ſtones, ſo ſhould it be with a Chriſtian: Hee ſhould ſo roote into Chriſt, that his rootes ſhould wrap about the heape, wrap about Chriſt, he ſhould have a folded roote in Chriſt. Chriſt is a Roote, Apoc. 12. 16. I am the Roote and off-ſpring of David, the Roote, and Branch of David. How can Chriſt be both Roote and Branch? Wee reade of the Roote of Jeſſe, Iſa. 11. 1. And Chriſt is called the Branch, Zech. 6. 12. Behold the man whoſe name is the Branch. If David then be Chriſts Roote, and Chriſt his Branch, how is Chriſt the Roote of David, and David and all the faithfull his Branches? Joh. 15. 1. I am the Vine, the Vine-roote, and yee are the Branches? And yet both theſe are true; That Chriſt is both the Roote, and Branch of David. Take him in his humane nature, according to the fleſh, and he is the Branch of David, for he was made of the ſeed of David, according to the fleſh, Rom. 1. 3. But conſider him in both natures joyntly in one perſon, and ſo he is the Roote of David, and of all the faithfull. And as he is the Roote, ſo ſhould all the faithfull roote themſelves into this Roote, Rooted in him. He is the Roote into which all true Chriſtians muſt root themſelves. And that upon theſe reaſons.
Firſt, All true Chriſtians muſt grow. It is that which is often called for in Scripture. 2 Pet. 3. 18. Grow in Grace. 2 Pet. 2. 2. that yee may grow. There is nothing that doth more evidence the truth of Grace, then the growth. Then a Chriſtian may have good evidence that he is a true Chriſtian, when he is a growing Chriſtian. And a man that growes not in Grace, and goodneſſe, may juſtly queſtion the truth of his Grace and goodneſſe, the truth of his Chriſtianitie. So that it much concernes a Chriſtian to grow. Now looke how much it concernes a Chriſtian to be a growing Chriſtian, ſo much it concernes him to be a Rooted Chriſtian, to be Rooted in Chriſt. Becauſe unleſſe a man be rooted in Chriſt, it is impoſſible he ſhould grow. Wee ſee in nature that plants and trees firſt roote before they grow, and their growth followes after their rooting. So much appeares by that compariſon, Job 8. 16, 17. He is greene, and his branches ſhoote. And this comes from that which followes, His roots are wrapped about the heape. Hee rootes, and therefore hee ſhoots. A tree cannot ſhoote till it roote. So Jer. 12. 2. the Prophet comparing wicked men to trees, Thou haſt, ſaith he, planted them, yea they have taken roote, they grow. But firſt take roote, and then grow. So Chriſtians muſt grow, but yet before they can grow, they muſt firſt be planted, and take root. GOD promiſes to make his Church grow, and her branches to ſpread, but withall he promiſes to make her roote. Hoſ. 14. 5, 6. I will be as the dew unto Iſrael, he ſhall grow as the Lilly, and caſt forth his roots as Lebanon, his branches ſhall ſpread, &c. Never can a Chriſtian grow as a Lilly, though he be under daily dewes, nor his branches ſpread, unleſſe he caſt forth his roots as Lebanon, as the trees, and Cedars of Lebanon. What are dewes without Roots? My Doctrine, ſayes Moſes, ſhall drop as the raine, my ſpeech ſhall diſtill as the dew. Deut. 32. 2. Though a man live under the dew of the Miniſtry, which is a good meanes of growth, yet if he want a Roote in Chriſt, he will never grow. The deeper a tree is rooted, the more it growes. The greater the roote, the deeper, and wider it ſpreads it ſelfe, the greater is the properity of that tree. A buſh growes, but growes not to the height that a Cedar doth, nor to the greatneſſe an Oake doth, becauſe the roote of a buſh is but ſmall. It rootes not as an Oake, as a Cedar, and therefore riſes not, ſpreads not as doth an Oake, or a Cedar. Wee ſee divers ſizes of Chriſtians, ſome greater, ſome leſſer, ſome higher, ſome lower trees of Righteouſneſſe. What may the reaſon of it be? Are they not all ſet, and planted in the ſame ſoyle? Is it not the ſame Chriſt that feeds and nouriſhes them all? It is ſo, and yet theſe trees though all ſet in the ſame ſoyle, all fed by the ſame ſap, yet are they not all of the ſame height and bigneſſe: And the reaſon is, becauſe they all roote not alike. Some roote deeper then others, ſome ſpread out their rootes further then others, and as every one rootes, ſo every one growes. See how the Pſalmiſt ſpeakes, Pſal. 80. 9, 10. of that vine. It filled the land, the hills were covered with the ſhadow of it, the boughes thereof were like the goodly Cedars, &c. And all came from this, Thou cauſedſt it to take deepe roote. So that the deeper roote, the greater growth; And ſo in this caſe, the deeper roote wee take in Chriſt, the greater growth wee have in Chriſt, and grace. In as much then as every Chriſtian is bound to grow, and there is no growth without a roote, therefore muſt every Chriſtian roote in Chriſt. Every Chriſtian is bound to grow exceedingly, 2 Theſ. 3. therefore it concernes a Chriſtian not onelyonly to be rooted, but to be deeply rooted in CHRIST, becauſe ſo as wee roote, ſo wee grow proportionably. The deeper roote, the greater and fairer growth.
Secondly, All true Chriſtians muſt 2.beare fruit. What called for more frequently? Matth. 3. Bring forth fruit. Hereby wee glorifie God, Joh. 15. 8. Hereby wee give evidence that wee are Chriſts Diſciples, Joh. 15. 8. Hereby wee give evidence of our union with Chriſt, Joh. 15. 5. It is a dangerous thing not to bring forth fruit, Joh. 15. 2. Mat. 3. 10. A matter therefore of great neceſſitie to bring forth fruit. Now it is impoſſible to bring forth the fruits of grace, and the ſpirit, unleſſe wee be rooted in Chriſt. In nature no roote no fruite. Hoſ. 9. 16. Their roote is dryed up, they ſhall beare no fruit. There muſt be a roote before there can be fruite; as Jer. 12. 2. Thou haſt planted them, they have taken roote, they bring forth fruit; but firſt, have taken roote. And that ſpeech ſhewes as much, 2 King. 19. 30. They ſhall yet againe take roote downward, and bring forth fruit upward. So it is in this caſe: No ſpirituall roote, no ſpirituall fruite. Jude 12. Trees without fruit, pluckt up by the roots. What wonder that they were fruitleſſe, when they were rootleſs? they muſt needs be without fruit, when they were without roote. On the contrary, a godly man he is fruitfull, becauſe he is rooted in Chriſt, and therefore fruited, becauſe rooted. Jer. 17. 8. He is a tree that brings forth fruit in a time of drought, in a time of heate, he is fruitfull. And marke whence it comes, He ſhall be as a tree planted by the waters, that ſpreads out her roots by the river. He is rooted in Chriſt, and therefore fruited by Chriſt. To which purpoſe wee may allude to that, Prov. 12. 12. The roote of the righteous yeeldeth fruit. It is not the Branch of the righteous that yeelds fruit, but it is the roote. It is Chriſt who is the roote of a righteous man, and when a man is rooted in him he yeelds fruite. It is impoſſible for a branch without a roote to bring forth fruite. That was a miraculous, and extraordinary caſe, that Aarons rod cut off from the ſtock, and without a roote, did bring forth buds, and bloſſomes, and yeelded Almonds. But in ordinary courſe it is a thing impoſſible. It is impoſſible for us to bring forth Almonds, Grapes, or any fruite, unleſſe wee be rooted in Chriſt. All fruite is from Chriſt the roote. Philip. 1. 11. The fruits of holineſſe and righteouſneſſe which are by Chriſt. So that then there being a neceſſitie that a Chriſtian bring forth fruite, and that there can be no fruite, unleſſe he be rooted in Chriſt, it is therefore a thing of abſolute neceſſitie, that a Chriſtian be rooted in Chriſt.
Thirdly, A Chriſtian muſt perſevere, 3.and be ſtable in the truth, muſt hold out, and continue. It is ſtill called for, Col. 1. 23. The promiſe of ſalvation is made to ſuch as perſevere. He that perſeveres to the end ſhall be ſaved, Mat. 24. It is made the note of a true Chriſtian, Joh. 8. 30. And it is that which at the laſt day will fill our hearts with infinite comfort, and confidence, 1 Joh. 2. 28. Now it is impoſſible a man ſhould perſevere, and continue, unleſſe he be rooted in Chriſt. Boughes pluckt off from trees, being ſet in water, may looke freſh and greene for two or three dayes, but becauſe they have no roote, they quickly decay, and dye. A ſtake, or a poſt is pitched in the ground, but yet becauſe it hath no roote, it is eaſie to wriggle, and plucke it up, and carry it whither one will. But now it is not ſo with a great tree, there a man may tug, and plucke with all his might, and not get it up. Set a teame of horſe to an oake, and they cannot ſtirre, nor move it. And what is the reaſon of this difference, but becauſe the tree hath a roote that fixes, and faſtens it in the earth, and the ſtake or poſt hath none? The ſtony ground made a faire ſhew, it ſprang quickly, gave faire and good hopes, but yet it came to nothing, but ſoone vaniſht; and what might the reaſon be? See Matth. 13. 6. 20. 21. Luk. 8. 13. want of roote was their bane, they had no roote in Chriſt, and therefore endured not. The tree that is rooted, though heate and drought come, yet ceaſes not yeelding fruite. Jer. 17. 8. Let a man make never ſo faire a profeſſion of faith, love, zeale, &c. yet if that man be not rooted in Chriſt, that man will wither, vaniſh, and come to nothing, ſpecially if the Sunne ariſe, and there come a time of heate. It is ſaid of a righteous man, Prov. 10. 25. That he is an everlaſting foundation, he ſtirres not, moves not, is not a reede ſhaken with the winde. How comes it about that neither hereſies, nor perſecutions, one thing nor another ſtirres him, but he is immoveable? See Prov. 12. 3. The roote of the righteous ſhall not be moved, he hath a roote, hee is rooted in Chriſt, and therefore is not moved. So here the Apoſtles drift is to perſwade the Coloſsians to perſeverance, and exhorting them thereunto, he wiſhes them to be rooted in Chriſt. So that in as much as Chriſtians ought to perſevere, and that cannot be done unleſſe a man be rooted in Chriſt, it is therefore of neceſſitie, that a man bee rooted in Chriſt.
Fourthly, See what the Apoſtle ſayes 4.Heb. 3. 14. Wee are made partakers of Chriſt. That is a precious bleſſing: It ſhould be the ayme of every Chriſtian. And indeed a man is no Chriſtian indeede till hee be made a partaker of Chriſt. Wee come to the Lords Table for this end to be partakers of Chriſt. Now we cannot be partakers of Chriſt, till wee be rooted in Chriſt. There is no participation of Chriſt, till there be a Radication in Chriſt. No participation of Chriſt in the Sacrament, till rooted in him. A man may come to the Sacrament, and partake of Bread and Wine, may bee partaker of the Lords Table, and yet if he be not rooted in Chriſt, partakes not of Chriſt. Herbes and trees are partakers of the heart, of the ſtrength, of the fat of the earth, and the moyſture thereof, becauſe they are rooted in the earth. So by beeing rooted in Chriſt, wee come to be partakers of him. See that ſame Rom. 11. 17. Thou wert graffed in amongst them, and with them partakeſt of the roote and fatneſſe of the Olive. When a cience is ingraffed into an Olive, it partakes of the fatneſſe of the Olive; But how? It firſt partakes of the root. The Olive hath a roote, by that it partakes of the fatneſſe of the earth, and the branches by having that roote for their roote, are made partakers of that fatneſſe. There is a fatneſſe, a ſweetneſſe in Chriſt, and a fatneſſe and ſweetneſſe in Gods Ordinances, Pſal. 63. 5. Now when we come to the Sacrament, wee deſire to be made partakers of the fatneſſe and ſweetneſſe of Chriſt: firſt then be rooted in him, and we ſhall be made partakers of him, and his ſweetneſſe. Many receive the Sacrament that are not partakers of Chriſt, and all becauſe they be not rooted in him. Thou that commeſt to the Sacrament before thou be rooted in Chriſt, art an unworthy receiver. Wee have no right to the Sacrament, till wee be rooted in Chriſt. So that as we deſire to be worthy receivers of the Sacrament, ſo it concernes us to be rooted in Chriſt. We know the danger of unworthy receiving. Hee that in receiving is not made partaker of Chriſt, receives unworthily. He that is not firſt rooted in him, cannot be partaker of him. A rootleſſe receiver is a fruitleſſe receiver; a fruitleſſe receiver is an unworthy receiver. He that hath a roote, receives good by the Sacrament, hee that hath not a roote, receives hurt by it. Take a tree that hath a roote, and ſet it in the earth, and the moyſture and fat of the earth nouriſhes and feedes it. But take a ſticke or a ſtake that hath no roote, and drive it into the earth, and the fat and moyſture of the earth rottes it. To come to the Sacrament having a Roote will make our ſoules thrive, but to come to the Sacrament without a Roote, will rotte and bane our ſoules. As therefore wee deſire at any time, but ſpecially at the Sacrament, to be partakers of Chriſt, ſo firſt get wee our ſelves rooted into him.
Fifthly, and laſtly, That ſame is a 5.terrible Imprecation of Davids againſt Doeg, Pſal. 52. 5. God ſhall roote thee out of the land of the living. It is heavieſt in a ſpirituall ſenſe, as Heaven is the land of the living. And yet as heavie as it is, it will be the portion of all ſuch as are not rooted in Chriſt. God will roote out all ſuch out of the land of the living. As wee would be rooted in the land of the living, ſo get wee our ſelves rooted in Chriſt.
Labour wee therefore to get our ſelves rooted, and deeply rooted in Ʋſe 1.Chriſt. Men of the world doe ſeeke to take roote in their kinde, and to ſpread their rootes in the earth. Job 5. 3. I have ſeene the fooliſh taking roote. Jer. 12. 2. Thou haſt planted them, they have taken roote. What a doe to roote themſelves in a ſoyle, out of which they ſhall be pluckt up by the rootes? Job 5. 3. I have ſeene the fooliſh taking roote, but ſuddenly I have curſed his habitations. It fares with them as with the curſed figtree, Mark. 11. 20. As they paſſed by they ſaw the figge tree dryed up from the roots. But alas how few take care for Rooting in Chriſt Jeſus, and for a bleſſed Radication in him.