Gods husbandry

CHAP. XIX. Containing the fourth use.

CHAP. XIX. Containing the fourth vse.

But now it is time that we turn our selves unto the fruitful branches,¹ to divide unto them that comfort, which GOD hath allotted unto them, & which this text affordeth, and they stand in need of. For all those therefore that do bring forth fruit in Christ, in such sort as hath bin showed, we have much good to speak, and joyful tidings to deliver. We are to assure and secure them, against all the fears of their own hearts, against all the cavils of Satan, and false censures of the wicked world, that they be not hypocrites, but true-hearted, and sincere Christians. Whosoever amongst you findeth, that in his soul, the consideration of Gods infinite goodness through his only Son, hath had such a powerful working, that it hath even knit his heart fast unto the author of so great kindness; and made him even say and swear within himself, that he would surely keep his righteous judgements; & made him constant in taking all pains to mortify his corruptions, & to do his duty in every thing, according to the divine direction: so that there is no one thing so comfortable ⟨p. 147⟩to him, as when he can carry himself in some good manner, as beseems the Gospel of Christ; & nothing doth more humble & abase him, than when he fails of this holy walking; & if it were demanded of his very soul, what in all the world he most heartily desires and would fainest attain in all his life? his hart would make this answer for him, that it is to please God, to get acquaintance with his duty, and to accomplish it accordingly: this he wisheth, this he longeth for, this he coveteth more, than all wealth or greatness, or other gilded toy, that the world hath to give him. I say now in Gods name to every such person (and require him in Gods name to give credit unto my words, because they are infallibly grounded on Gods Word) that he ought to be of good comfort, that he is a true Christian, and no dissembler, & that for such an one he ought to take himself, notwithstanding all the blemishes, errors, ignorances, imperfections; and it may be also sometimes gross out-strayings of his life. Brethren, the true-hearted had need to be made to understand their trueth, as well as the false-hearted their falsehood. For as the latter out of his self-liking disposition is ready to flatter himself with sweet words;