The beatitudes

Use. 2 2. Here is an Indictment against three sorts.

Reproof. 1. Such as bring forth no fruit; Hose. 10.1. Israel Branch 1 is an empty Vine. O how many unfruitful hearers are there, who evaporate into nothing but froth and fume, being like those ears which run out all into straw! they give God neither the early fruit, nor the latter. There are many Christians like Arbours, covered only with the leaves of profession; they may be compared to the wood of the Vine which is good for nothing, Ezek. 15.2. He who hath not the fruits of the Spirit^*, hath not the Spirit; and he who hath not the Spirit of Christ, is none of Christs, Rom. 8.9. and if he be not Christs, whose is he then? I fear the sin of this Age is unfruitfulness. Never more labouring in Gods Vineyard, and yet never less fruit; instead of the Figtree and Pomegranate, we have abundance of barren willows grow among us; Ministers say they fear they spend their labour in vain; many are perverted, few converted. Papists, and Heretics see the fruit of their labours; millions are made Proselytes to Rome; Satan never had such an harvest in England as of late years; but how few are savingly wrought upon? how few fruitful plants? they ⟨p. 601⟩are as the gleanings after Vintage. This is a lamentation and shall be for a lamentation. The silver showers of the Sanctuary fall upon barren ground. Histories relate that in some Countries they have no Trees at all growing. I will not be so uncharitable as to say we have no trees of Righteousness in England; blessed be God we have some trees laden with Gospel-fruit, Plants of renown; but few trees, in comparison of the Thorns and Briars that grow; we have many will commend fruit, but few that bear fruit. To the unfruitful Christian let me say four things.