3. The third Lesson the Husbandman learns in his Orchard is, from the Pruning of the Trees; And there he learns the danger of prosperity, and the Mercy of crosses. He sees that when there are too many branches, there is too little fruit; and where the top is too big for the root, there's danger of being wind-fallen. And this he considers well, and receives instruction. He likewise hath found, that the pruning of the Tree hath usually made it better, and that which seemed to hurt it, hath helped afterward. And the Lord ⟨p. 168⟩hereby teacheth him the danger of abundance, and the blessing of the Cross. He learns that an high estate is more dangerous, and less fruitful than a mean; That i• God had suffered him to grow bulky, it would have been worse for his soul. He sees that pruning is as needful as fencing, and therefore can bless God, when he takes away a Cow, as well as when he sends him a Calf. When Flesh and Blood cries, O I am cut, I bleed, I am undone, Faith sings, Blessed be the name of the Lord. Any man can say, when the Lord gives, blessed be God; but to say from the very heart, Blessed be God, when he takes away; that a good man only can say: yea one that feels real benefit in his soul by his losses, he knows his Heavenly Physician takes no blood from him, but what was putrid, and did him hurt; lopped off no branches, but what were suckers, and did run away with that sap, which would have produced fruit: and thereupon he is, in cold blood, humbly content, and thankful, for that which others fret at, and get nothing. Nay, if God prune off a child, that lay nearer his heart than Christ, or than it ought, he is dumb, he opens not his mouth, knowing, that God hath done nothing without reason, which he hath done: And concludes, All's for good, first or last. He hath read that Isa. 5.6. and considered it well, where God threatens his vineyard, it shall not he pruned nor, digged; and the next news is, there shall come up briars and thorns, ⟨p. 169⟩•nd the clouds shall rain no more upon it. Therefore our wise Husbandman is afraid of prosperity, as others are of troubles; and welcomes crosses as kindly as others do benefits.
3. The third Lesson the Husbandman learnes in his Orchard is, from the Pruning of the Trees; And there he learns the danger of prosperity, and the Mercy of crosses. He sees that when there are too many branches, there is too little fruit; and where the top is too big for the root, there's danger of being wind-fallen. And this he considers well, and receives instruction. He likewise hath found, that the pruning of the Tree hath usually made it better, and that which seemed to hurt it, hath helped afterward. And the Lord ⟨p. 168⟩hereby teacheth him the danger of abundance, and the blessing of the Cross. He learns that an high estate is more dangerous, and less fruitful than a mean; That i• God had suffered him to grow bulky, it would have been worse for his soul. He sees that pruning is as needful as fencing, and therefore can bless God, when he takes away a Cow, as well as when he sends him a Calf. When Flesh and Blood cryes, O I am cut, I bleed, I am undone, Faith sings, Blessed be the name of the Lord. Any man can say, when the Lord gives, blessed be God; but to say from the very heart, Blessed be God, when he takes away; that a good man only can say: yea one that feels real benefit in his soul by his losses, he knowes his Heavenly Physician takes no blood from him, but what was pu•rid, and did him hurt; lop'd off no branches, but what were suckers, and did run away with that sap, which would have produced fruit: and thereupon he is, in cold blood, humbly content, and thankful, for that which others fret at, and get nothing. Nay, if God prune off a child, that lay nearer his heart than Christ, or than it ought, he is dumb, he opens not his mouth, knowing, that God hath done nothing without reason, which he hath done: And concludes, All's for good, first or last. He hath read that Isa. 5.6. and considered it well, where God threatens his vineyard, it shall not he prun'd nor, dig'd; and the next news is, thereshall come up bryars and thorns, ⟨p. 169⟩•nd the cloudes shall rain no more upon it. Therefore our wise Husbandman is afraid of •rosperity, as others are of troubles; and welcomes crosses as kindly as others do benefits.
