The Scripture directory for church-officers and people, or, A practical commentary upon the whole…

Thirdly, It supposeth a careful improvement of all those means which God useth for our spiritual good. If we be Gods Husbandry, we are patiently to receive, and fruitfully to improve whatsoever may make for our fruitfulness.

Thirdly, It supposeth a carefull improvement of all those means which God useth for our spiritual good. If we be Gods Husbandry, we are patiently to receive, and fruitfully to improve whatsoever may make for our fruitfulness.

Now the means are of two sorts, either essential, and entire and perfect; such as the hearing of the Word, praying, godly Communion; or, accidental and occasional, such as afflictions, troubles, and persecutions. Even as the pruning of the Vine, the burning of the Ground makes it fruitful; so all the troubles, calamities and miseries, that God brings on his Husbandry, is to make them more fertile. They need a Winter as well as a Summer. If thou then despisest the Ministry; thou art careless under the means of grace, no wonder if thou art no better then Heathens, or Pagans, that live in the wilderness. Thou that art a tree planted by the River side, yet bringest forth no fruit, thy condemnation is near.

Now the meanes are of two sorts, either essential, and intire and perfect; such as the hearing of the Word, praying, godly Communion; or, accidentall and occasional, such as afflictions, troubles, and persecutions. Even as the pruning of the Vine, the burning of the Ground makes it fruitfull; so all the troubles, calamities and miseries, that God brings on his Husbandry, is to make them more fertile. They need a Winter as well as a Sommer. If thou then despisest the Ministry; thou art careless under the means of grace, no wonder if thou art no better then Heathens, or Pagans, that live in the wilderness. Thou that art a tree planted by the River side, yet bringest forth no fruit, thy condemnation is near.