The Barren Fig Trees Doom, Sermon 12
SERMON XII
Verse 8.
And be answering said unto him, … it alone this year also, till I shall digg about it and dung it.
… THe Fourth and last part of the Parable comes now to be considered Viz: the interposition or intercession of the Vine dresser for this tree, in which be humbly sets himself to delay the execution of the sentence that had been past upon it, and accordingly pleads with his Lord for a little forbearance; we are not to think that man is more patient than God is, but it shews us what is mans duty and what use God is pleased to make of man in his providential dispensations. Here then observe.
1. The thing he petitions for, Let it alone this year also.
2. A reason of his request, Till I shall dig about it, and dung it. Under which is contained a promise of his using renewed endeavours with it.
3. The Issue which he joyns with his Lord in upon a double Hypothesis, verse 9. of which afterwards.
1. Let us observe the thing which he petitions for, Let it alone this year also. Where consider.
1. The mercy it self which he pleads for; Let it alone: the word signifies, to remit: and is often used for the pardoning of sin; but it here intends, a suspending of the sentence past; and the meaning is, do not cut it down, but let it still stand in the vineyard: and injoy the benefit of it.
2. The limitation of this request, This Year; i.e. one season more; he is modest in his request, and yet he would fain have one trial more be made of it.
3. An argument insinuated in the word, also. q. d. thou hast had much patience towards it already, and it is but a little that I ask; it is but one trial more, and that cannot be so much as thou hast made already. To Wave all particular observations that might here be made, we may from the whole gather this,
DOCTRINE. It is the disposition of Gods faithful Ministers to be very earnest with him to stay his judgments, when they are ready to break in upon and destroy barren Professors.
When they see the tokens of Gods anger appearing, and are apprehensive of the great danger impending; they presently address God, and go to him with greatest importunity, entreating him that he would at least spare them a little give then a little further trial, and see what may be do… with them. That God is pleased to discover his displeasure to them, and give them some signal to …ens that there is wrath out against such, and really to break forth in some terrible dispensations, sometimes discovering it in its moral causes, and sometimes in the Face of his providence, hath been already evidenced. And what is it they now do? do they sit still, and do nothing? or do they rejoice in it, and seek the fartherance of it? no, but they do all they can to prevent it, and this is one thing, they apply themselves unto God by humble and earnest supplication, they turn importunate beggars at the Throne of Grace in their behalf. Instances for this we have several in the word of God, in such as have been the most eminent: How observable is the example of Abraham, in his interceeding for Sodom, on supposition that there might be a shattering of Godly persons in it? and how doth bee grow upon God in his pleading? Gen. 18. How eminent was Moses also upon this account how often are we told of the great provocations that God had taken at Israel? and as often we find Moses upon his Face, begging and pleading as for his life, and not letting God alone, Fourty days at a time did he spend more then once upon this very score. How ready is Aaron to step in with his Censer between the living and the dead, when he saw the Plague was now begun? How did Joshua fall down and pray hard when Israel fled before their enemies?
How did the prophet Jeremiah pray for a degenerate People near destruction, even till God bad him to pray no more but to let him alone? and these are to Cheractarize such as are in publick place among Gods People, and to let us know what spirit they are of. Here then may we enquire,
1. Whence it is that this disposition comes to be so active in Godly Ministers?
2. Wherein it appears acceptable to God, and advantageous unto Barren Souls?
1. Whence is it that this disposition comes to be so active in Godly Ministers?
A. We may come at this in a few steps;
1. There is Planted in Man by Nature a Love to Mankind. Meerly sensible creatures have such an instinct of Nature in them, that they stand affected to their own kind. Ravening Wolves, and Cruel Tygers do participate in this: And this had a more peculiar impression upon reasonable creatures, whose understanding hath a capacity of reasoning it self into, and stirring up of these affections. And although it be one of the unhappy fruits of mans Apostacy, that it hath wofully depraved this principle, and made men without natural affection having at least destroyed the gracious impression which was upon this principle, yet there is the root of such an inclination abiding in the hearts of men, and a disposition in them to exert it in a natural, though not in a gracious way.
2. The Grace of God, where it comes, restores this principle again to its regular activity. It is the work of Sanctifying grace to restore the lapsed nature of man to a capacity of acting according to the Image of God which once it had upon it. It Sanctifies the understanding, by discovering to it what is the love which we ow one to another, and wherein it ought more peculiarly to exert it self, according to the state and condition of the object of it, and shews them that their souls are more deeply concerned in this than their bodies; that their eternal well-being is more to be sought than their temporal solicity. And it Sanctifies the Will by enabling it to elect accordingly: and this influenceth the Affections making them to desire, long after, and sollicitously pursue this designe: it turns that love which before was carnal into an holy love.
3. This love makes them exceeding loth that any should perish; and consequently grieved at the apprehension of the danger of it. It is an Affection full of compassion; and therefore misery and danger of the Object greatly moves it. How much of this was exemplarily found in the man Christ, who wept over Jerusalem? Luk. 19. 41. and made that bitter moan over it, Mat. 23. 37. and this made Paul to speak with tears in his eyes to his Philippians, Phil. 3. 18, 19. Godly Men cannot but be deeply concerned to see Sinners running to ruine, and ready to drop into destruction; to think that such as are capable of glory, should fall into endless misery; to see the hand of God up, and ready to strike that blow which will cut them off for ever from all hope; fills their souls with deepest commiseration of them, and makes them wish it might be prevented.
4. This lothness and grief of theirs puts them upon studying and endeavouring all they may to prevent it. For that is the very nature and use of this affection; and it is very prevalent in the souls of Gods people. Such an one will now entertain himself with these thoughts: Is there nothing that I may do to save this soul? may I be no ways instrumental of good to him, that so he may not go down to the pit? are there no endeavours that may be used with or for him, that may, by the blessing of God, prove beneficial to him? he is willing and desirous to do his utmost, and omit nothing that comes within his reach, that may be serviceable to this purpose. This made Paul to be so laborious, if by any means he might save men.
5. This makes them to go to God and plead with him, that he would spare them a little longer. They are not without hope that if they might have a little more time allowed them, they might at length be perswaded to mind the things of their peace? to be sure they know, that if they are once cut down by the hand of Gods vengeance, there will then be no more opportunity for them for ever, that all hopes are then gone, that then the day of grace is done: but whilst there is life and means, there is hope: and this makes them to pray hard for them, and follow the Throne of Grace in their behalf: and the more their danger is, the greater importunity it urgeth them unto: This made Samuel so restlesly importunate for Saul.
6. Gods faithful Ministers are usually more deeply sensible of the miserable condition that such are in, than others are. Every true believer hath more or less of this sense? it flows from the Grace that is in them: but those Gracious souls whose peculiar business lies in the contemplation of the Scriptures, & acquainting of themselves, that so they may acquaint others with the great and awful truths therein contained, must needs have some special impressions of these things made upon their hearts, and this must needs work answerably on their affections. That was it which so engaged Paul he knew the terrors of the Lord, 2. Cor. 5. 11. Yea, and God oftentimes gives them more experimental knowledge of themselves and that adds unto the Affection matter of incitement.
7. The special relation which these bear to such, makes them peculiarly sollicitious for them. They are not only related to them as their fellow reasonable Creatures, but also as God hath Commissionated them to bring the Gospel of peace unto them, and labour with them for their saving good: they are therefore tende… …em; they are their charge and they are … them as so many children they have travailing pains for them, that they may be made partakers in saving Grace and brought to Christ: thus Paul argues with his Galations, Gal. 4. 19. And who is so much grieved at the childrens disafter as the mother, and therefore none will beg harder for them then shew.
8. They must needs be exceeding loth that all the labour which they have laid out upon these should thus be lost. Gods Servants, that have obtained the grace to be faithful, have been spending themselves in solicitous endeavours after the salvation of all those that are under their watch; they have laboured with God and with them; and the joy they have looked for, hath been to see them saved: In hope of this they have been chearful under all; and must they perish at last, and so all be thrown away? this, in this life, is exceeding bitter to them; Paul speaks it with grief, Gal. 4. 11. and such a thought puts a peculiar impression upon this affection, and raiseth them to the more earnestness in their pleadings with God.
9. And they truly design the glory of God in all this. All believers are set for God's glory; his Ministers are specially advantaged for the promoving of it: now it is the glory of Gods grace which they are nextly and directly to aim at the furtherance of; for they are a Gospel Ministry; and that is then most gloriously advanced, when men are made the monuments of this Attribute. When therefore they see such to whom this grace hath been offered, now ready to be made a Sacrifice unto Justice for their contempt of it, they, not being hopeless but that Grace may still be advanced by them, put in for a little respite to be afforded them: and tho' love to man excite pity in them, yet love to God, and the honour of his Name regulates them, as will be afterwards made evident.
2. Wherein it appears acceptable to God, and advantageous to barren souls, that these are thus earnest with God for them?
A. This will be evident by the Consideration of these things;
1. That God hath by his Holy Spirit put such desires into his Servants. They are the product of his Grace in them; and therefore we shall find that such as have been most eminent for Holiness, and most acquainted with God, have been most fervently engaged thus: Abraham Gods friend, Moses, who was in the Mount with God, Paul, that had been in the Third Heaven, and seen glorious things there: and that which is the fruit of Gods grace in us must needs be acceptable to him; whether be intends to do the thing or no, yet it pleaseth him that his Servants should request it of him; for that may be our duty to ask, which it is not Gods Soveraign Pleasure to grant; for the command, which is revealed, and not the decree, which is secret, is the rule in prayer. The Prophets therefore interposed most earnestly when God threatned most sharply.
2. God hath therefore in the Scripture made i… their duty thus to put in and plead, when they see his Judgments coming upon his people. When they apprehend that God is angry, and discover him as if he were coming to cut Sinners down in his wrath, now God …uld have these step in: for this reason; when God had threatned a terrible Calamity upon his people Israel, we find this to be urged as a precept at such a time, Joel. 2. 17. and Moses by Gods Appointment, sends Aaron with his Censer, when the plague is begun. These are some of those that are appointed to stand in the gap, and if when God comes in Displeasure, and finds them not there, it fares ill with his people.
3. God hath oftentimes a purpose to delay the execution of the sentence; and he honours these his Servants to be the instruments in it. God sometimes intends to give peculiar instances of his long-sufferance; and therefore when Sinners may be thought ripe for ruine, ready for cutting down, and the sentence is past in the threatning; he will yet give them a farther trial; now when it is so, he is wont to stir up the hearts of his servants to put in, and beg with greatest and undeniable importunity for it, whereupon he grants it to their requests; and it is for their sakes that he doth it. Thus we find, that God had certainly destroyed Israel, but that Moses interposed, and stood between him and them, and turned his wrath away, Psal. 106. 23. and this shews his approbation.
4. Hence it follows, that they do many times prevail with God. Though sometimes it is come to that, that though Noah, Job, Daniel should pray for them, they should only deliver their own souls; yet it is not always so; if it be possible, such prayers shall prevail, and God not seldom doth thus answer them. There is many a Sinners life is saved by the earnest importunity of Gods Servants with him, they had died else: God gives their lives to these prayers, to testifie what an interest they have in him, and convince sinners themselves o… their gracious acceptance with him. The very scope of this part of the Parable, is to let us know, that God spares many after they have provoked him to denounce some severe threatnings against them, and to tell us how it comes about that he so doth: it is not for any worthiness or merit of theirs, but because they have a deep share in his favour, and he will thus signalize it.
5. By this means the Judgment that was ready to cut them down, is deferred. When the Ax of Divine Vengeance was lifted up, and just falling down upon them to give them a deadly blow, these hold Gods hands, and keep them from doing execution: and now the Sinner is suffered to live a while longer; the mischief which he was falling into is diverted from him; and this is an advantage; every day and hour in which the condemned Creature is saved out of the pit, is a rich favour to him, Lam. 3. 22. It is the Lords mercy that we are not consumed; and the rather because,
6. Thus they have a farther opportunity given them to seek an escape from that destruction, if they have but an heart to make use of it. How many wretched sinners have great reason to say; if I had died at such a time, when I was just at brink of the pit, and had a Sentence of Death upon me in my own apprehension, I had then certainly perished; I had gone to everlasting burnings; but God hath spared me, and given me a longer day of grace. Till the tree is cut down, all hopes concerning it are not utterly lost; but when it is destroyed, and the root is dead, then all hope is gone: and needs must it be a very great priviledge for a sinner to have farther day given him, and a price continued in his Hand to get Wisdom; if he Wants an Heart to it, it is his own wickedness; that he hath the opportunity, is Gods indulgence.
USE I.
Learn hence how much Sinners are beholden to Gods faithful Ministers. As little as they love them, yea as much as they despise and possibly hate them, yet they little know how much they do for them: many a time when Judgment was ready to have broken in, and Gods anger was kindled, and began to burn, these have stept in, and given a stop to it. It is true, they dealt plainly and openly with such as live and lie in sin, and despise the offers of grace made in the Gospel; and this is their faithfulness: they have discovered Gods anger, and cannot but cry aloud, and call earnestly unto men; they cannot let them alone; they speak home, and this many times vexeth sinners; they love not to be disquieted; and this makes such to cry out of them, as if they were the only Troublers of Israel. Yea they are often put upon it to denounce the threatnings of the Word of God against men that will not repent; and foolish creatures are ready to say, we see what they would be at, they desire and long for our mischief: but little do they think the mean while, what deep resentments they entertain upon their hearts of these things; how the danger they are in affects them. As they cannot let sinners alone, so neither can they let God alone: they are as earnest in their supplications to him for them, as they are in their warnings of them: did you know what pleadings, what entreaties, what importunities, they are using in their behalf; how loth they are that you should perish, how earnest they are with God that he should save you, that he would turn you, and have mercy upon you, it would make you to entertain better thoughts of them: nor can all your unworthy reflections upon them, turn them from so doing, though they grieve and account it to be hard measure, so David, Psal. 35. 13, 14. and Jeremiah, chap. 18. 20.
USE II.
This tells us how sore a Judgment of God it is upon a degenerate people, when he takes such away from them. Well might that King let fall such a doleful lamentation as he did, over the bed of a dying Prophet, 2 Kings 13. 14. My Father! my Father! the Chariots of Israel, and the Horsemen thereof. The death of pious Ministers, in a time of sore calamity, when God is contending with his people in grievous Judgments, carries a great deal of the revelation of Gods displeasure in it, and is therefore an ill omen unto such a people, and if it be not laid to heart, it bodes so much the more awfully: read how the Prophet comments upon it, Isa. 57 1, 2. these are they who are to put into the breach and make it up; and if they fall there, it saith, that God will be held back no longer by their prayers, but the gap shall stand open, that mischiefs and miseries may come in as a Flood. What shall we then say of the late awful stroak of Gods hand, in the decease of that aged and faithful servant of Christ, the renowned Eliot? He died late enough for himself, but too soon for us; whose Faith and Prayers were singularly serviceable for the interest of this poor People; and eminently observable it is, that God so ordered it in his Providence that lest he should go away unlamented, the unhappy tidings of our sore loss and calamity at Falmoth, were brought the very day of his incineration, to put us into mourning, and adde solemnity to His Obsequies; and I believe New-England. hath not many such gap m…n to lose, I could not but, upon so invi…g an occasion, drop this interest tear u…n his Tombstone.
USE III.
Hence we must Cautiously interpret those imprecations, which Gods Faithful Prophets have sometimes used against impenitent sinners, on Scripture Record. We shall find of them in the Psalms, and Prophesie, of Jeremiah: and some are ready to make a wrong improvement of them, and justify their own passionate wishes against others by them: It may be said of them, that they were men of like passions; and all that is recorded concerning Holy Men in Scripture, is not commendable; some such expressions might be the boiling over of their corruption. But I suppose, there may be a better account given of them than so: viz: that they were men inspired, & delivered prophesies, and therefore did not declare their own desire (as least in such as were personal) but Gods purpose, which they sometimes delivered in plain Enunciations, sometimes in Rhetorical imprecations, according as the Spirit of God suggested to them: hence we find, that they were mean while praying and interceding with God for their People, and protesting their integrity in so doing: and God is put upon it more than once, …o forbid Jeremiah from praying for that People.
USE IIII.
Let this Consideration be an argument to perswade with sinners to hearken to such as these, when they speak to them from God. If they are so earnest with God to Spare you, let them then be bid welcome, when they are earnest to perswade you To Break off your Sins by Repentance; to convince you of your barrenness, and unprofitableness, and excite you to fruitfulness: one would think this should give them a welcom reception: though they come to testify against your sins, and perswade you to part with your lusts and vanities and betake your selves unto God: and to this end that you may, be perswaded of these three things.
1. Believe that they, know what is your concern. That they see your danger, and understand how the case stands between God and you; else they would not be so importunate with God, if they did not see evil to be threatning of you; and if they discover the tokens of Gods indignation, it is not to be slighted. God is wont to let them know what he is about to do, and to touch their heart with a deep sense of it: if therefore they tell you of an evill day nigh and accordingly warn you of the danger you are in by reason of your present state, it is not to be slighted, or made a light matter of. If they are faithful, God trusts them with his secret, and they cannot but truly declare the mind of God unto you as they find it; and it is your fo…y and damage too to be perswading yourselves, and suspecting them, that Baruck sets them on.
2. Believe that they love you. It is hard to perswade sinners who love their sin, to think that any can love their persons that set themselves against their corruptions: Ahab hates Micaiah, because he never speaks good of him; and therefore thinks that he hates him: ask yourselves; if they did not love you, would they be so foolish as to expose themselves, to your anger, that they may do you good? did they not love you, would they set themselves so earnestly to implore God for you, and seek your preservation? They hate your sins indeed, because they know that they will undo you, if not forsaken: but they love your Souls, and therefore seek their Salvation. If they did not love you, they would not willingly stand between an angry God, and angry sinners. Would you but solemnly think what it is for that they are treating so seriously with you, you would be perswaded of this, that they are unweariedly bent to seek your salvation; and if this be not love, what is.
3. Think then that it is your interest to hearken to them. It fares with Gods Ministers as it did with Joshua, Israel fly before their enemies; Joshua falls upon his Face and prays; and God saith to him, what makest thou here? up, Israel hath sinned, Thus Gods servants see the owner of the vineyard angry, and hear him speak of cutting down such a fig-tree, they beg of him to spare it a little, not to be so angry; and God saith to them, go see if such an one will be reformed, amended, and bear fruit, else I will certainly Cut him down. For this reason therefore they come unto you: and for this end they set themselves to convince, reprove, warn, counsel, entreat, you. And let it be a Solemn word to urge this advice upon you, to consider that if they cannot after all prevail with you to entertain their Counsels, they will not be long able to hold Gods hands; but he will say to them, pray no more for that sinner. It may be this year also he may wait, but if still you continue as you were, what shall become of you next, the Lord knows, But if you, hear your Souls shall live.