The Profit of Godliness, Sermon 15
Serm. 15. Preached February 9. 1661.
CHAP. XXVIII.
THese words are another argument of the Vine-dresser, moving the Lord of the Vineyard to forbear awhile the cutting down of the barren figg-tree. As the first is drawn from the Vine dressers further diligence and labour to make it bear fruit; This is drawn from the Tree it self; it is as if he had said; it may be this tree may yet bring forth fruit: this impenitent person may yet be led to repentance, and if he shall at the last repent, it is well on all hands; then thou wilt never repent of forbearing him so long, and I shall never repent of my labour to make him to bear the fruit of repentance. But if this unfruitful tree, this wicked and impenitent person shall not after all thy forbearance and my labour, bring forth fruits meet for repentance, then I will never open my mouth more in his behalf, never shall any more intercession be made for him, but let thy wrath break in upon him; Cut him down, and cast him into unquenchable fire. In the words we have two particulars.
1. Here is mercy promised to the repenting sinner: If it bear fruit, Well.
2. Wrath and misery threatned, and that shall be certainly executed on the impenitent; If not, then after that cut it down. I shall now handle the doctrine that lyeth in the former part of the words.
If after all unfruitfulness,Obser. and impenitency for a long while, a man shall at the last bring forth fruits meet for repentance, it shall be well on all sides.
Oh thou that hast mispent a great age under the means of grace in all manner of prophanity; thou who hast been an habitual and customary swearer and drunkard from thy youth to old age, do thou now repent, all thy wickedness shall be forgotten and forgiven; God will never upbraid thee with thy rebellious c…urses, he will not give thee an angry word, but will embrace thee in his arms, k ss thee, wash thee in the blood of his Son, robe thee with his Sons righteousness, love and delight in thee, as if thou hadst been a tree alwayes bearing fruit.
For proof of …his point, consult Jer. 3.1. They say if a man put away his wife, and she go from him, and become another mans, shall he return unto her again? shall not the Land be greatly polluted? but thou hast played the Harlot with many lovers, yet return again to me saith the Lord. Here God under the Parable or a disloyal Wife to her Husband, and of his utter rejection of her for her disloyalty, sheweth that he will not do so: Though thou hast plaid the Harlot with many Lovers: that is, Though thou hast been an Idolater, a shameless Apostate: yet if thou wilt repent and return to me, it shall be well with thee: I will receive thee notwithstanding all thine abominations. And in ver 12. he saith, Go, and proclaim these words, and say, Return thou backsliding Israel, and I will not cause mine anger to fall upon you, for I am merciful, saith the Lord; as who should say, make proclamation to all impenitent sinners, invite them to repent, and assure them that it shall be well with them; I will not be angry with them; I will not so much as look upon you with an angry and scornful countenance, but will shew all favour and mercy to you.
In Matth. 20. from the 1. to the end of ver. 6. he sheweth under another Parable, that it shall be well with every one that shall come in to Christ at the last: for ver. 6. he calls men in the last hour of the day: and albeit they had stood idle all the day long, yet if they would work but this one hour in the Vineyard, it should be as well with them as with those that had born the heat and burden of the day. All shall be as well with old sinners, that have stood all the day long in their impenitency and wickedness, if they repent, as with those who repented early, even in the day of their youth. How well was it with the Prodigal repenting and returning to his Father, after he had spent all his time and estate upon Harlots, upon his lusts! his Father kissed him, embraced him, rejoyced over him:Luke 15.24. This my Son was dead, and is alive again. My Son was a profane, vile, and wicked wretch, he stunk like a dead carrion in the nostrils of God and good men; but now he is alive, he repents of all his wickedness: how well was it then with him? His Father called for the Ring and the Robe for him, and feasted him; God thinketh no mercy too great or too good for repenting sinners, whensoever they repent and turn to him.
CHAP. XXIX.
SECT. 1.
IN prosecution of this point, I shall first shew how it is well on all sides.
I. It is well for the Lord of the Vineyard in two respects.
1. It is well for God, when a sinner repenteth, and bringeth forth spiritual fruit: for albeit our repentance can contribute nothing to Gods blessedness, nothing can be added to his infiniteness; whether we repent or not, God is infinitely happy; yet our repentance serveth for the illustration of the glory of his grace: oh how doth it shew forth the riches, the freeness, and efficacy of his grace in converting him, who to outward appearance seemed to be hopeless. It tendeth much to the praise of a Gardiner, who shall by his skill make a Tree fruitful, that was as it were dead; it is much to the praise of the Husbandman, that shall by his pains and skill make a Wilderness to become a Paradise; a barren Heath, to become a fruitful Field: even so, it is much to the praise of the glorious grace of God, when he shall by his word and spirit make a profane wretch, one that was a very Monster of impiety, to become Godly, Holy, Heavenly. Who would have said, that Sarah should have a Child in her old age! who would have said that an old wicked wretch, an old drunkard, swearer, &c. should become an holy, mourning, repenting, and reformed Saint in his old age! if ever any was ripe for Hell, this man was, yet now is he numbred among the Saints.
2. It is well for God, because it is a pleasure and delight to him to see sinners turn and live; he desireth the conversion of sinners, and he delighteth in their conversion and Salvation: wherefore when they do turn, it is great joy to him. There is joy in Heaven over one sinner that repenteth. The Prodigals repentance was his Fathers joy: My Son that was lost, is now found again: My Son that was dead, is alive again: My Son that was a rebell, is now obedient to me: He that was a slave to lusts and devils, is now become my Son again; He that was an heir of Hell, is now an heir of Salvation. Thus doth God as it were rejoyce over sinners when they repent.
SECT. 2.
II. IT is well also for the Vine-dresser in two respects.
1. It is well for Christ when a wicked man brings forth fruit; for then he gathereth the fruits of his sufferings, and beholdeth the travel of his soul: all that Christ suffered was to make us to bring forth these fruits: those dolours which he felt and suffered in his soul and body; when the heavy wrath of God for our sins lay upon him, were thy conversion and faith: those graces are his purchase as well as his gift. When thou shalt make his Soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, Isa. 53.10, 11. The meaning is, when Christ shall deliver himself up to death for sin, then he shall see poor sinners repenting and believing, who are his seed. He shall see the travel of his soul and be satisfied. (1.) Christ shall see them repenting and believing to h…s full satisfaction and contentment: Oh what contentment is it to a Gardiner to see a withered tree to live and flourish, and bear fruit again? It is an high contentment to Christ to behold thee bearing fruit. Thou through thine impenitency (as much as lyeth in thee) makest Christ to die in vain, to endure all his Fathers wrath in vain: Methinks this should be a powerful perswasion to bring forth fruit, seeing thy repentance is the fruit of h s sufferings, and thy saith is the …ull satisfaction of his soul, which he offered upon the Cross for thee.
2. It is well for Christ also, in that our bearing fruit is an high praise and commendation of all the pretious means and ordinances of grace which Christ for this very purpose hath appointed in his Church. Hath not he publ…shed the Gospel, and commanded the Gospel to be Preached everywhere to invite and bring men to repentance? hath not he set up the Ministry of the Gospel in his Church to Preach repentance, and to warn every man everywhere to repent? Oh therefore when a man brings forth the fruit of repentance, the dignity and efficacy of his holy ordinances do appear; what makes the world to think that there is nothing in the word and ordinances, that they are broken Cisterns, dry, empty things, and powerless, but this, that men live under them, and bring not forth that fruit for which they are appointed? There is none that can value them more than thousands of Gold and Silver, but such as have experimented the admirable efficacy of them upon their own souls: and the world thinks them to be useless things, and powerless means, as long as they behold men bringing not forth fruits meet for such holy and powerful ordinances.
SECT. 3.
III. IT is well for the Ministers, when men shall at the last after all their pains-taking and wasting their strength, bring forth fruit meet for their labours. As it is well for the Husbandman, when his ground sh…ll after some years and cost bring forth a full crop: and tis well for the Gardiner, when his Trees shall at last bring forth fruit: so tis well for the Ministers of the Word, if at length their People shall repent, and walk as becomes the Gospel of Christ which they Preach. What is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoycing? saith Paul. 1 Thes. 2.19 are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming? for ye are our glory and joy; as if he had said, ye that are converted by Ministers unto Christ, ye are and shall be the joy, the crown, the glory of Ministers at the day of Christ. How will Ministers give up their account with joy? Wicked men are the shame and grief of Godly Ministers, and in the day of Christ all Ministers will be the horrour and terrour of all ungodly persons that lived under their Ministry.
IV. It …s well for the Vineyard, for the Church in which they live; it is well for the Town and place where they dwell.
1. It is well for the Church in which they are, because the number of believers is encreased by new Converts, Psal. 87.5. And of Zion it shall be said, This and that man was born in her, and the Highest himself shall establish her. It is Prophetically spoken of the conversion of the Gentiles to Christ by the Preaching of the Gospel, This and that man was born in her. (1.) This and that Nation and People are regenerated by the word and sp…rit of Christ; but it is also applicable to every particular person that is effectually called from sin to Christ; this man was born in her, that man was born in her; this sinner was converted, that Profane wretch was converted, that unclean person was washed and sanctified in her. And it is observable, what promise is made to the Church, wherein people are by the Ministry of the Word converted; The most high shall establish her. (1.) God will secure and sence that Church, God will establish his ordinances and Gospel there: it is mens unfruitfulness under the Gospel, which endangereth and brings the removal of the Gospel from this to another people: if we have any desire that God shall continue the Gospel and his ordinances, let us be fruitful, and God will establish: Multitudes of converts are the glory of a Church, as multitudes of fruit-bearing trees are the glory of a Vineyard.
2. It is well for the very Town and place where they dwell: for whose sake doth God keep off destruct on from a Town? is is not for the sake of the righteous there? I will not destroy Sodom for tens sake; a few righteous men will preserve a City from terrible destruct…on. The Godly are the Pillars that bear up a Town; the Church is the pillar that bears up the world: Potiphar was blessed because of Joseph in his Family. The more converts (few or many) are in a Town, there are …o many men there Praying for the Town where they live: and it is well for that Town: it is for their praying, mourning and repenting for the abominations of places wherein they live, that the clouds drop not down fire and brimstone upon it: the many oaths that wicked men belch out, their cursing, their drunkenness, their many abominable practices do cry for vengeance; but the Prayers of a few righteous persons do out-cry the cry of sin, and ye… obtaineth mercy for the places where they live: Brethren! if you desire the welfare of this Town, then bring forth fruits meet for repentance; Oh let it be said, This and that man was converted to Chr…st by the Preaching of the Gospel in this Town; the most High will then establ…sh us.
V. It is well for other barren Trees, when any one Tree becomes fruit-bearing: it is well for other wicked men when some are converted, because when one profane man is powerfully wrought upon, he will do his endeavour by his prayers, counsels, instruct ons to convert others. Psal. 51.12, 13. Restore unto me the joy of thy Salvation, then I will teach transgressours thy wayes, and sinners shall be converted to thee: as if he had said, Lord make me to feel the comfortable effects of thy grace and favour, and I will by my example and instructions endeavour the conversion of others. No sooner was Paul converted, but he planted and watered, digged and dunged to make others fruitful. So Philip calls Nathaniel to see Christ: and the Woman of Samaria, when converted, calls all her neighbours to see him also; by this occasion many were converted, Joh. 4.39. As a Ring touched with a Load-stone will draw another Ring to it, and that will draw a third, and that will draw a fourth: so when once the heart of man is truly touched with Christ, he will endeavour to draw others to him. Grace is very communicative and diffusive; Although it will not make a man a busie-body in other mens matters, yet it will make him very active in the conversion of other men; it will make a man to cry out with Paul, I wish that all that hear me now, were such as I am, excepting these bonds.
SECT. 4.
VI. IT is well for the godly when others become fruitful in holiness, that such who in times past were unprofitable burdens to them, should become profitable; such who once hindred them, do now promote their piety; such who once had them in derision, now have them in honour and esteem for their Godliness. Iron will sharpen iron, and gracious men will quicken one another: It was a joy to Paul that Onesimus, that before his conversion was unprofitable, was now become profitable both to Paul and Philemon: Ministers and people have more good company in Heavens way, praying one for another, exhorting one another, and provoking one another to love, and to good works.
VII. It is well for weak and trembling Christians: when a great Sinner is made a true Saint: when they shall see how God hath shewn mercy to a Saul, to a blasphemer, to a persecutor, an injurious man, to one of the chief of sinners; how doth it raise up the spirits of trembling sinners to expect grace, mercy and comfort from God? if the grace of God makes such dry trees fruitful; shall not his Grace make green trees fruitful? If God turns such briars and thorns into figg-trees, there is hope that he will make you fruitful. Oh do not despair, but hope and pray, when you see grace to abound where iniquity did so monstrously abound.
VIII. It is very well for the Tree it self, for the man whom the Patience and forbearance of God, and the means of grace hath sweetly and powerfully led to repentance; if thou bearest fruit, it is well for thee. It is marvellous well for that sinner that is turned from sin to God, in these four particulars.
1. It saveth a cutting down, it preventeth that damnation that slumbers not, it saves from being cast into hell-fire. The axe of Divine vengeance shall lie no longer at the root of that Tree that bringeth forth good fruit, Joh. 6.37. Him that cometh unto me, I will in no wise cast out. No Gardiner will cut down his best Trees.
2. It is very well for him, because God pardons all his former unfruitfulness, he forgets and forgives all those wild grapes which he hath brought forth; albeit he hath been a long time unfruitful, and hath abounded in the unfruitful works of darkness, God will abundantly pardon all.
3. Tis very well for him, because now God himself will take special care of him, and will make him more fruitful, Joh. 15.2. Every branch that beareth fruit he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit: lusts are great hinderances of fruit-bearing; God will purge him from these, that he may abound in fruit; God will make all means powerful…; the Word, Sacraments, Prayers, Mercies, Judgements, all these shall make him to bring forth fruit in due season: see what a comfortable promise is made to fruit-bearing Christians, Psal. 1.3. Whatsoever he doth shall prosper: all his praying, hearing of the Word, &c. shall prosper.
4. It shall be very well for him hereafter; when God shall transport him from earth to Heaven, how gloriously will God reward him for his fruitfulness! he shall eat of his own fruits in Heaven; according to his fruitfulness in grace, shall his reward of glory be: the seed of grace sown here, will bring forth in some thirty fold, in some sixty fold, in some an hundred fold of glory and blessedness: according to what we fow, we shall reap: he that soweth plentifully, shall reap plentifully: God will Crown his own graces, when, and wheresoever be sees them flourishing.
CHAP. XXX.
Ʋse 1 THE first Use of this point is for Exhortation: you then that have stood for many years fruitless, and yet walk in the hardness and impentency of your hearts, be ye perswaded now, even now to bring forth fruit; let God find repentance, faith, holiness springing up in thee. I have a commission from God to assure you, that if after all your former unfruitfulness, you will bring forth fruit, it shall be well with you, and happy for ever shall you be. Do we not all desire our own wellfare? where is the man that hath not a desire to reap the fruits of eternal life? then bring ye forth the fruits of faith and holiness. Oh do not conclude within thy heart, that there is no hope: whiles God suffers thee to stand, and his Ministers are inviting thee to repent, there is hope that thou maist be fruitful at last. Do not fear that thou shalt not be accepted, seeing thou hast brought forth wild grapes for so long continuance; Christ tells thee that it shall be well with thee, God will take delight in thee. Let me exhort thee again, not to delay and put off thy conversion to God; yet God lets you alone, but we know not how soon he will cut you down: God hath sought fruit on thee for a great while already, and hath long born with thy unfruitfulness: Behold, he still bears with thee, his end is to try what thou wilt do now, but though he bears long, he will not bear allwayes.
Ʋse 2 This may yeeld consolation to such who are troubled and ashamed for their long unfruitfulness under the means of grace: their fears perhaps are, that now God will not have respect to them and their fruit; and their thoughts and wishes are, Oh that I had done this sooner! Oh that I had remembred my Creator in the dayes of my youth! then it had been well with me now: but then I did neither mind God, nor my soul, nor any thing that good is: how can I expect is will be well with my poor soul! let me tell thee to thy comfort, that to be ashamed of thy unfruitfulness, and to lament it before the Lord, it is pretious fruit in the sight of God: it is well, it shall be well with such; go on in humbling thy self, and mourning for thy unfruitfulness; and know that in due time this seed of penitential tears shall bring forth a plentiful crop of joy: it is Gods promise, that they that sow in tears shall reap in joy, Psal. 126.5, 6.
Ʋse 3 What comfort doth this speak to such who turn to God betimes, and bring forth fruit the first year of their planting! if it be well for old fruitless trees, for old sinners to bring forth fruit at last, after they have spent their time and strength in bringing forth the unfruitful works of darkness; Oh then how well shall it be with them, that like Josiah and Timothy do bring forth fruits in the beginning of their dayes, before they were drenched in wickedness! for such there is laid up a larger measure of glory.
Ʋse 4 What terrour doth this speak to all withered Apostates, those whom the Apostle call trees twice dead, pluckt up by the roots, who did for a while bring forth the outward fruits of Holiness, the fair leaves of profession, but now they are drawn back, all leaves of profession are fallen off from them, there is no shew of holiness remaining in them; they are like the tree which Christ cursed, withered from top to root, from life to heart, that there is no hope that ever fruit will grow on them any more; the means of grace do burn them up, and rot them more and more: oh how ill shall it be with such Apostatical professors! these withered cursed trees will make the hottest fire in Hell: no souls do burn more fiercely in Hell than apostate souls; they are trees twice dead, therefore they shall be twice damned.
Luke 13.9.
And if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down.