Gods husbandry

AND so much be spoken of the distribution of branches into two kinds: We proceed now to consider the difference of the branches: for in that they be branches they both concur: but herein they differ manifestly, that the one is, the other is not fruitful. Observe then from these words of our Saviour, another point, that fruitfulness is the true note of difference betwixt the true Christian, and the hypocrite. As a man differs from a beast by reason; a beast from a plant; by sense; a plant from a stone, by life or vegetation; so a good Christian from an hypocrite, by fruitfulness. This is the most plain, sure, sensible, infallible, ⟨p. 107⟩and (as they call it) the very specific mark of distinction, betwixt the sound professor and the false, that the one beareth fruit, the other doth not bear fruit in the Vine. Where the holy ordinances of God have such power, as to work obedience in the whole conversation, this is fruitfulness, and here is truth: where they do not bring forth this effect, this is fruitlessness, and here is guile. In a word, all true Christians are fruitful, and none but they: all dissemblers are fruitless, and none but they. This point is abundantly confirmed in the parable of the sower, in which of four grounds, one alone was good, and that fruitful; as for the bad grounds, the first did not bear so much as a blade;¹ the other two did indeed put out a little greenness, but it was like the corn upon the house top, which withereth or ever it be ripe, and of which the mower filleth not his lap; only the good ground did requite the labour of the husbandman with a liberal harvest of some thirty, some sixty, some hundred fold. So in the words of the Apostle,