This is gathered therehence, that fruitfulness is both required and promised in this place. It is required therein, that the Apostle intimates, that this is necessary for the faithful, to be fruitful. It is promised thereby, that it is made as a benefit arising from virtues. Good works are called fruits by a metaphor, for the likeness that they have unto the fruits of trees and plants. Now in natural fruit many things are considered, which according to the Scripture must be applied unto good works. 1. That it be something agreeable to the nature of the seed from which it ariseth. 2. That it hath no only some good in it, but also perfections; hence flowers and leaves are not wont to be called fruits, although they come from the same seed that the fruits do, and be the last two that comes forth, and hath in it that perfection, that it is the end both of the seed, and all other things that arise from the seed before the fruit. 3. It is required also, especially in those that arise from good husbandry, that there be something that is de••red and expected and will be acceptable to the husbandman and master, or owner. All these things in the Scriptures are to be applied unto good works, 1. That they be agreeable to the word of God, which is the seed, as it is in the Parables Matth. 13. Mark 4. of the good seed: and good works differ from •ares, as grapes differ from wild grapes, Isay 5. 2. 2. That they have goodness in them. For bad works neither are properly fruits according to Scripture, unless it be with an addition, evil fruits. Nor do they bring any fruit to their […] Rom. 6 21. They must also have perfection in their kind: for as the seeds which are said in the parable to ⟨p. 155⟩arise, perhaps unto the ear, yet because they did not come to just perfection, are said to have brought forth no fruits: so also Christians, which have only the flowers and leaves of profession, and not the solid works of godliness, are accounted by God unfruitful and barren plants. 3. Our works also must answer the expectation of God, and that care which he hath taken in manuring our souls, Isay 5. 2. Luke 13. 6, 7. & 20. 10. Although in all these things our good works and fruits are alike, yet one thing may be observed, wherein they are unlike;
This is gathered therehence, that fruitfulnesse is both required and promised in this place. It is required therein, that the Apostle intimates, that this is necessary for the faithfull, to be fruitfull. It is promised thereby, that it is made as a benefit arising from vertues. Good workes are called fruits by a metaphor, for the likenesse that they have unto the fruits of trees and plants. Now in naturall fruit many things are considered, which according to the Scripture must be applyed unto good workes. 1. That it be something agreeable to the nature of the seed from which it ariseth. 2. That it hath noe only some good in it, but also perfections; hence flowers and leaves are not wont to be called fruits, although they come from the same seed that the fruits do, and be the last two that comes forth, and hath in it that perfection, that it is the end both of the seed, and all other things that arise from the seed before the fruit. 3. It is required also, especially in those that arise from good husbandry, that there be something that is de••red and expected and will be acceptable to the husbandman and master, or owner. All these things in the Scriptures are to be applyed unto good works, 1. That they be agreeable to the word of God, which is the seed, as it is in the Parables Matth. 13. Marke 4. of the good seed: and good workes differ from •ares, as grapes differ from wildegrapes, Isay 5. 2. 2. That they have goodnesse in them. For bad workes neither are properly fruits according to Scripture, unlesse it be with an addition, evill fruits. Nor do they bring any fruit to their 〈…〉 Rom. 6 21. They must also have perfection in their kinde: for as the seeds which are said in the parable to ⟨p. 155⟩arise, perhaps unto the eare, yet because they did not come to just perfection, are said to have brought forth no fruits: so also Christians, which have only the flowers and leaves of profession, and not the solid workes of godlinesse, are accounted by God unfruitfull and barren plants. 3. Our workes also must answer the expectation of God, and that care which he hath taken in manuring our soules, Isay 5. 2. Luke 13. 6, 7. & 20. 10. Although in all these things our good workes and fruits are alike, yet one thing may be observed, wherein they are unlike;
