Human nature in its fourfold state ... In several practical discourses

If you ask me, How your nourishment, growth and fruitfulness may be forwarded? I offer these few advices (1.) Make sure work, as to your knitting with the stock, by faith unfeigned; and beware of hypocrisy: a branch that is not found at the heart, will certainly wither. The trees of the Lord's planting are trees of righteousness, Isa. lxi. 3. So when others fade, they bring forth fruit. Hypocrisy is a disease in the vitals of religion, which will consume all at length. It is a leak in the ship, that will certainly sink it. Sincerity of grace will make it lasting, be it never so weak: as the smallest twig, that is found at the heart, will draw nourishment from the stock, and grow, while the greatest bough• that is rotten, can never recover, because it receives no nourishment. (2.) Labour to be steadfast in the truths and way of God. An unsettled and wavering judgment is a great enemy to Christian growth and fruitfulness, as the Apostle teaches, Eph. iv. 14, 15. That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and •ro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine. But speaking the truth in love, may grow up unto him in all things, which is the head, even Christ. A rolling stone gathers no fog, and a wavering judgment makes a fruitless life. Though a tree be never so sound, yet how can it grow, or be fruitful if ye be still removing it out of one soil into another? (3.) Endeavour to cut off the suckers, as gardeners do that their trees may thrive. These are unmortified lusts. Therefore mortify your members that are upon the earth, Col. iii. 5. When the Israelites got meat to their lusts, they got leanness to their souls. She that has many hungry children about her hand, and must be still putting into their mouths, will have much ado to get a bit put into her own. They must refuse the craving of inordinate affections, who would have their souls to prosper. Lastly, Improve, for these ends, the ordinances of God. The courts of our God are the place, where the trees of righteousness flourish, Psalm xcii. 13. The waters of the sanctuary are the means appointed of God, to cause his people grew as willows by the water courses. Therefore drink in with "desire the sincere milk of the word that ye may grow thereby,