The Right Receiving of Christ, Preface · Chapter 15
CHAP. XV.
How to know whether we bee Rooted in Chriſt, or not.
IF every true Chriſtian muſt be rooted in Chriſt, then as wee would know whether wee be true Chriſtians, ſo let us examine our ſelves whether wee be rooted in Chriſt or not. That may be knowne by thoſe things mentioned before in the reaſons of the point. They that are rooted in Chriſt doe grow, ſuch as our growth is, ſuch is our roote: If we grow not in Chriſt, it is a ſigne wee are not rooted in him. They that are rooted beare fruit. Trees may roote, and yet not alwayes beare fruit. Though there can be no fruit unleſſe there be a roote, yet in naturall trees, there may be a roote where there is no fruit. But not ſo here. There is none rootes in Chriſt, but he brings forth fruite in Chriſt. The Apoſtle ſpeakes of bringing forth fruit to God, Rom. 7. 4. but he firſt ſpeakes of being married unto Chriſt, which is equivalent unto rooting. So that whoſoever is rooted in Chriſt, brings forth fruite unto God. By it may be ſeene who is not, and how many are not rooted in Chriſt. By their fruits ſhall yee know them. They bring forth no fruite unto God, therefore not rooted in Chriſt. What be the fruits they bring forth? The fruits of ſwearing, whoring, drunkenneſſe, prophaneneſſe, covetouſneſſe, &c. Are theſe fruits unto God, or fruites unto the Devill? Doe they that are rooted in Chriſt, bring forth fruits unto Satan? Therefore in as much as the fruites that moſt men bring forth, are fruites unto the fleſh, fruites unto Satan, it is a ſigne that they are rather rooted in the fleſh, in Satan, then in Chriſt. And when men are ſo eaſily ſhaken and moved from the truth, it is a ſigne that they are ſtony ground, that they have no roote in themſelves. And how little men are partakers of the fatneſſe of Chriſt, appeares by the leaneneſſe, and lewdneſſe of their lives. But beſides theſe, it may be diſcerned by theſe things.
Firſt, By that, Rom. 11. 16. If the 1.roote be holy, ſo are the branches; namely, the branches that are joyned to that roote. Branches then that are rooted into an holy roote, are ſuch as the root is. All that are rooted in Chriſt, are ſuch as he is. There is the ſame ſap in the roote, and branches of a tree. If a ſweet ſap in the roote, a ſweet ſap alſo in the branches. They that are rooted in Chriſt, have the ſame Spirit that is in Chriſt. Philip. 2. 5. Let the ſame minde be in you which was alſo in Chriſt Jeſus. Chriſt is an holy roote, all that are rooted in him are holy perſons. Jude 1. Sanctified in Chriſt Jeſus. He is not onelyonly an holy, but an hallowing Chriſt. Whatſoever touched the fleſh of the ſinne offering was holy. Levit. 6. 27. Whatſoever touched the Altar was holy, Exod. 30. 29. Both were types of Chriſt. Now if but the touch of Chriſt make holy, then much more when a man not touches him, but is rooted, engraffed, incorporated into him. By this may men try their Rooting in Chriſt; If mens holineſſe muſt be the evidence, how many will bee cleane caſt? Let mens lives ſpeake what holineſſe they have; I doe not thinke that if men had holineſſe, they would mocke, and ſcoffe at it.
Secondly, By a Radication in the grace of love and charitie. He that is 2.rooted in Chriſt, is rooted in love. Epheſ. 3. 17. That Chriſt may dwell in your hearts. When Chriſt dwells in us, wee dwell in him, and when wee dwell in him, wee are rooted in him. And when thus rooted in him, ſee what followes; That yee being rooted, and grounded in love; Then a man may be ſaid to be Rooted in love, when out of the ſenſe, and apprehenſion of Gods love to him in Chriſt, his love is againe kindled towards God, and his neighbour, and ſo increaſes in him, that it takes daily deeper, and deeper roote in him. So then a man that rootes in Chriſt, roots in the love of God, of Chriſt, of his members. The more wee are rooted in Chriſt, the more wee are rooted in the love of God, and his Saints, and the more that love roots in our hearts. And therefore it is that faith and love doe lead hand in hand ſtill in Scripture, and that not onelyonly love to God, but to his Saints. Let mens conſciences but ſearch themſelves, and it is to be feared that they will finde ſuch poore ſmall rootes of love to God, and his Saints, as will give them juſt cauſe to queſtion their being rooted in Chriſt.
Thirdly, By Spirituall life, and Nutrition. Hee that is rooted in Chriſt, drawes life from Chriſt, and receives nouriſhment from him. A tree that is rooted in the earth, it lives by the ſap it drawes out of the earth in which it rootes. So the Chriſtian that roots in Chriſt, hee lives in Chriſt, and drawes ſap out of Chriſt, that feeds and maintaines ſpirituall life in him. Gal. 2. 20. As a tree lives, yet not ſo much the tree, as the roote; and the life which the tree lives, it lives by the roote in the earth. Our life is hid with Chriſt in God, Col. 3. The life of a Chriſtian is in, and from Chriſt. Secret it is, as the life of a tree is hid in the roote which is under the earth. Doth Chriſt then quicken thee with ſpirituall life? doth he nouriſh, and feede thee with ſpirituall ſap, ſo as all thou doeſt, thou doeſt by an influence of ſap, and life from him? Then conclude comfortably, that thou art rooted in Chriſt. But many are ſo liveleſſe, ſo dead, and ſapleſſe, that it is a ſenſeleſſe thing to conceive them other then rootleſſe Chriſtians.
FINIS.
End of the text · Jeremiah Dyke, The Right Receiving of Christ (1645)