It followeth, Being fruitful in all good works, that1 is, bringing forth every good fruit; this is the same with the former, but it explaineth the other by a Metaphor, if we bring forth good fruit in every good work, where he compareth men to fruitful creatures, as sheep, especially bringing forth two lambs, or to trees bringing forth good fruit. The children of God are in Isaiah, called Oaks of righteousness,2 in that they are strong and stand against all temptations and tempests: And like Oaks in steadiness of profession: So also in regard of the excellent fruit, they are compared to the Vine, which is accounted in the Scripture of all trees a most excellent tree, and most profitable, sweet, and pleasant, as also plentiful, and therefore in regard of the goodness and abundance, we are to like of it. And therefore our Saviour saith: I am the Vine, and my 3Father the Husbandman to dress the Vine. And the Vine is singular and most excellent in regard of the4 fruit, for else it is good for nothing, not for to make a pin, but for the fire: so Christians, which profess God and the Gospel, if they bring forth no fruit and please not God, they are the worst of all men, worse then the Jews, Turks, and heathen, let them ⟨p. 44⟩brag what they will of the word, and Sacraments, &c. And they must bring forth much fruit, viz. in every good work, and therefore it is said the Father doth trim that Vine, to make it bring forth more fruit, It was required always that the children5 of God, should bring forth fruit, but much more in the time of the Gospel. And therefore the Prophet saith, the least, basest, and weakest of the people of God, at that time shall be as David, and he that is as David shall be as an Angel of God. We know how valiant and courageous David was, so shall the weakest in the Gospel.
It followeth, Being fruitfull in all good workes, that1 is, bringing forth euery good fruite; this is the same with the former, but it explaineth the other by a Metaphor, if we bring forth good fruite in euery good worke, where hee compareth men to fruitfull creatures, as sheepe, especially bringing forth two lambes, or to trees bringing forth good fruite. The children of God are in Esay, called Okes of righteousnesse,2 in that they are strong and stand against all temptations and tempests: And like Okes in steadinesse of profession: So also in regard of the excellent fruite, they are compared to the Vin•, which is accounted in the Scripture of all trees a most excellent tree, and most profitable, sweete, and pleasant, as also plentifull, and therefore in regard of the goodnesse and aboundance, we are to like of it. And therefore our Sauiour saith: I am the Ʋine, and my 3Father the Husbandman to dresse the Vine. And the Vine is singular and most excellent in regard of the4 fruite, for else it is good for nothing, not for to make a pin, but for the fire: so Christians, which professe God and the Gospell, if they bring forth no fruite and please not God, they are the worst of all men, worse then the Iewes, Turkes, and heathen, let them ⟨p. 44⟩brag what they will of the word, and Sacraments, &c. And they must bring forth much fruite, viz. in euery good worke, and therefore it is said the Father doth trimme that Vine, to make it bring forth more fruite, It was required alwaies that the children5 of God, should bring forth fruite, but much more in the time of the Gospell. And therefore the Prophet saith, the least, basest, and weakest of the people of God, at that time shall be as Dauid, and he that is as Dauid shall be as an Angell of God. Wee know how valiant and couragious Dauid was, so shall the weakest in the Gospell.
- 1Verse 10.Ʋerse 10.
- 2Isaiah 61. 3.Esay 61. 3.
- 3Joh. 15. 2.Ioh. 15. 2.
- 4Ezek. 15.
- 5John 15. 2. Zach. 12. 8.Iohn 15. 2. Zach. 12. 8.
