You Are God's Husbandry

What are you, but a field, or plot of ground, to be manured and cultivated for God? And what are Paul, Apollo, and Cephas, but so many workmen and laborers, employed by God, the great Husbandman, to plant and water you all?

If then, you shall glory in some, and despise others, you take the ready way to deprive yourselves of the benefits and mercies you might receive from the joint ministry of them all. God has used me to plant you, and Apollo to water you; you are obliged to bless him for the ministry of both, and it will be your sin if you despise either. If the workmen be discouraged in their labors, 'tis the field that loses and suffers by it; so that the words are a similitude, serving to illustrate the relation.

- 1. Which the churches have to God. - 2. Which God's ministers have to the churches.

The relation between God and them, is like that of a Husbandman to his ground of tillage. The Greek word signifies God's Arable, or that plot of ground which God manures by the ministry of pastors and teachers.

It serves to illustrate the relation that the ministers of Christ sustain to the churches, which is like that of the husband's servants to him, and his fields; which excellent notion carries in it the perpetual necessity of a gospel ministry. (For what fruit can be expected, where there are none to till the ground?) As also the diligence, accountability, and rewards, which these laborers are to give to, and receive from God, the great Husbandman. All runs into this: that the life and employment of a Husbandman excellently shadows forth the relation between God and his church, and the relative duties between its ministers and members.

Or more briefly thus.

The church is God's Husbandry, about which his ministers are employed.

I shall not here observe my usual method, (intending no more but a preface to the following discourse) but only open the particulars wherein the resemblance consists, and then draw some corollaries from the whole. The first I shall dispatch in these twenty particulars following.

The Husbandman purchases his fields, and gives a valuable consideration for them (Jeremiah 32:9-10).

So has God purchased his church with a full valuable price, even the precious blood of his own Son (Acts 20:28): "Feed the church of God, which he has purchased, or acquired with his own blood." O dear-bought inheritance, how much does this speak of its worth? Or rather, the high esteem God has of it, to pay down blood, and such blood for it; never was any inheritance bought at such a rate. Every particular elect person, and none but such as are comprehended in this purchase — the rest still remain in the devil's right. Sin made a forfeiture of all to justice, upon which Satan entered and took possession, and as a strong man armed, still keeps it in them (Luke 11:21). But upon payment of this sum to justice, the elect (who only are intended in this purchase) pass over into God's right and property, and now are neither Satan's (Acts 26:18) nor their own (1 Corinthians 6:19), but the Lord's peculiar (1 Peter 2:6). And to show how much they are his own, you have two possessives in one verse (Song of Solomon 8:12): "My vineyard, which is mine is before me. Mine, which is mine."

Husbandmen divide and separate their own lands from other men's; they have their landmarks and boundaries, by which property is preserved (Deuteronomy 27:17; Proverbs 22:28).

So are the people of God wonderfully separated, and distinguished from all the people of the earth (Psalm 4:3). The Lord has set apart him that is godly for himself, and the Lord knows who are his (2 Timothy 2:19). It is a special act of grace, to be enclosed by God out of the waste howling wilderness of the world (Deuteronomy 33:16). This God did intentionally, in the decree before the world was; which decree is executed in their sanctification and adoption.

Corn-fields are carefully fenced by the Husbandman with hedges and ditches, to preserve their fruits from beasts that would otherwise over-run and destroy them — Non minus est virtus quam querere parta tueri. It is as good husbandry to keep what we have, as to acquire more than we had.

"My well-beloved has a vineyard in a very fruitful hill and he fenced it" (Isaiah 5:1-2). No inheritance is better defended and secured than the Lord's inheritance (Psalm 125:2): "As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the Lord is round about his people." So careful is he for their safety, that he creates upon every dwelling place of mount Zion, and upon her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day, and the shining of a flaming fire by night; for upon all the glory shall be a defense (Isaiah 4:5). Not a particular saint, but is hedged about and enclosed in arms of power and love (Job 1:10): "You have made a hedge about him." The devil fain would, but by his own confession could not, break over that hedge to touch Job, till God's permission made a gap for him. Yea, he not only makes a hedge, but a wall about them, and that of fire (Zechariah 2:5). He sets a guard of angels to encamp round about them that fear him (Psalm 34:7), and will not trust them with a single guard of angels neither, though their power be great, and love to the saints as great. But he watches over them himself also (Isaiah 27:2-3): "Sing to her, a vineyard of red wine, I the Lord do keep it, I will water it every moment; lest any hurt it, I will keep it night and day."

Husbandmen carry out their compost; to fertilize their arable ground, they dung it, dress it, and keep it in heart; and in these western parts are at great charges to bring lime, and salt water sand to quicken their thin and cold soil.

"Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it and dung it; and if it bears fruit well, if not, cut it down" (Luke 13:8). O the rich dressing which God bestows upon his churches! They are costly fields indeed, dressed and fertilized, not only by precious ordinances and providences, but also by the sweat, yea, blood of the dispensers of them. "You Londoners," says Mr. Lockier, "are trees watered choicely indeed; 'tis storied of the palm-tree, that at its first transplanting into Italy, 'twas watered with wine. I cannot say," says he, "that you have been so watered by me, I dare not; but this I can humbly and truly say, that if our choicest strength and spirits may be named instead of water, wine; or if the blessing which has gone along with these waters, at any time, has turned them into wine, in vigor upon your souls; then has God by me, watered your roots with wine."

The husbandman builds his house, where he makes his purchase, dwells upon his land, and frequently visits it; he knows, that such as dwell far from their lands are not far from loss.

So does God; wherever he plants a church there does he fix his habitation, intending there to dwell (Psalm 46:5): God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved. Thus God came to dwell upon his own fee and inheritance, in Judea (Leviticus 26:11-12): And I will set my tabernacle among you, and will be your God, and you shall be my people. Which promise is again renewed to his churches of the New Testament (2 Corinthians 6:16). And when the churches shall be in their greatest flourish, and purity, then shall there be the fullest and most glorious manifestation of the divine presence among them (Revelation 21:3): And I heard a great voice out of heaven, saying, Behold the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and be their God. Hence the assemblies are called, the places of his feet — and there they behold the beauty of the Lord (Psalm 27).

Husbandmen grudge not at the cost they are at for their tillage; but as they lay out vast sums upon it, so, they do it cheerfully.

And now, O inhabitants of Jerusalem, and men of Judah, judge I pray you, between me and my vineyard; what could have been done more to my vineyard, that I have not done in it? And as he bestows upon his heritage, the choicest mercies, so he does it with the greatest cheerfulness; for he says (Jeremiah 32:41): I will rejoice over them, to do them good; and I will plant them in this land assuredly, with my whole heart and with my whole soul. It is not the giving out of mercy (says one) that grieves God, but the recoiling of his mercies back again upon him by the creature's ingratitude.

When husbandmen have been at cost and pains about their husbandry, they expect fruit from it, answerable to their pains and expenses about it: Behold (says James) the husbandman waits for the precious fruits of the earth (James 5:7).

And he looked that it should bring forth fruit (Isaiah 5:2). This heavenly husbandman waits for the fruits of his fields also; never did any husbandman long for the desired harvest, more than God does for the fruits of holiness from his saints; great are the expectations of God from his people: And when the time of the fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the husbandmen, that they might receive the fruits of it.

Husbandmen are much delighted, to see the success of their labors, it comforts them over all their hard pains, and many weary days, to see a good increase.

Much more is God delighted, in beholding the flourishing graces of his people; it pleases him to see his plants laden with fruit, and his valleys sing with corn (Song of Solomon 6:2): My beloved is gone down into his garden, into his beds of spices, to feed in the gardens, and to gather lilies. These beds of spices (say expositors) are the particular churches, the companies of believers; he goes to feed in these gardens, like as men go to their gardens to make merry, or to gather fruit (Song of Solomon 4:16). He eats his pleasant fruit, namely, his people's holy performances, sweeter to him than any ambrosia; thus he feeds in the gardens, and he gathers lilies when he translates good souls into his kingdom above; for the Lord takes pleasure in his saints, and will beautify the meek with salvation.

The husbandman is exceedingly grieved, when he sees the hopes of a good crop disappointed, and his fields prove barren, or blasted.

So the Lord expresses his grief for, and anger against his people, when they bring forth no fruits, or wild fruits, worse than none (Hosea 9:16): Ephraim is smitten, their root is dried up. Christ was exceedingly displeased with the fig-tree, and cursed it for its barrenness; it grieves him to the heart when his servants return to him with such complaints as these, We have labored in vain, we have spent our strength for nothing.

Husbandmen employ many laborers to work in their fields, there is need of many hands for such a multiplicity of business.

God has diversity of workmen also in the churches, whom he sends forth to labor in his spiritual fields (Ephesians 4:12): He gave some apostles, some prophets, and some evangelists; and some pastors and teachers, for the perfecting of the saints for the work of the ministry. Amos 3:7: I have sent [my servants] the prophets. 'Tis usual with the apostles to place this title of servant among their honorary titles, though a profane mouth once called it, Probosum artificium, a sordid artifice. Christ has stamped a great deal of dignity upon his ministers, in retaining them for the nearest service to himself (1 Corinthians 4:1): Let a man so account of us, as the ministers of Christ; they are workers together with God: the husbandman works in the field among his laborers, and the great God does not disdain to work in and with his poor servants in the work of the ministry.

The work about which husbandmen employ their servants in the field, is toilsome and spending — you see they come home at night as weary as they can draw their legs after them.

But God's workmen have a much harder task than they. Hence they are set forth in Scripture by the laborious ox (1 Corinthians 9:9; Revelation 4:7). Some derive the word deacon from a word that signifies dust, to show the laboriousness of their employment, laboring till evening, choked with dust and sweat. 'Tis said of Epaphroditus (Philippians 2:13): That for the work of Christ he was sick, and near to death; not regarding his life to supply their lack of service. The apostle's expression (Colossians 1, last verse) is very emphatic: To which I also labor, striving according to his working, which works in me mightily. The word signifies, such spending labor as puts a man into an agony; and blessed is that servant, whom his Lord when he comes shall find so doing.

The immediate end of the husbandman's labor, and his servants' labor, is for the improvement of his land, to make it more flourishing and fruitful.

The scope and end of the ministry is for the church's benefit and advantage. They must not lord it over God's heritage, as if the church were for them, and not they for the church; nor serve themselves of it, but be the church's servants for Jesus' sake (2 Corinthians 4:6); the power they have received being for edification, and not for destruction (2 Corinthians 10:8). Christ has given them to the churches, their gifts, their time, their strength, and all their ministerial talents are not their own, but the church's stock and treasure.

The workmen that labour in the fields, are accountable for their work to him that employed them.

Church-Officers are also accountable to God for all the souls committed to them. They are stewards of the mysteries of God (1 Corinthians 4:1), and stewards are accountable. We watch for your souls (says the Apostle) as they that must give an account (Hebrews 13:7). If these servants be unfaithful in their work and trust, the blood of souls shall be required at their hands (Ezekiel 3:17-18), which are fulmina, non verba (says Erasmus) thunder-bolts, rather than words. The guilt of blood is the greatest guilt; and of all blood, the blood of souls.

Those that spend their time and strength all their days, in manuring, and plowing the fields, do maintain themselves and their families by their labours; their hands are sufficient for themselves and theirs.

Even so has God ordained, that they which preach the Gospel, should live of the Gospel (1 Corinthians 9:14). The workman is worthy of his meat (Matthew 10:10). It is a sad thing, if those who break the bread of life to souls, should be suffered to want bread themselves. God would not have the mouth of the ox muzzled that treads out the corn, but have liberty to eat, as well as work: yet, if any pretender to the ministry be like the heifer that loves to tread out the corn — that is, cares to do no work, but such as brings in present pay — he therein sufficiently discovers his beast-like disposition. Ministers must be faithful in their Masters work, and if men do not, God will reward them. For, He is not unrighteous to forget their work, and labour of love (Hebrews 6:10).

It is a great trouble to husbandmen in a busy time, to be put off from their labours by stormy weather, which drives them out of the fields, and makes them let all lie, till it clear up again; yet, meanwhile, they are not idle, but employ themselves in home work.

Even so in God's Husbandry, it is an unspeakable affliction to God's workmen to be rendered useless and unserviceable to the Churches, by those storms of trouble, which drive them from their public ministerial work. With what a heavy heart did Paul go off from his work at Ephesus (Acts 20). It spends a minister to preach, but more to be silent. It is a loud speaking judgment, when God shall say to them as to Ezekiel, Son of man, I will make your tongue cleave to the roof of your mouth, and you shall be dumb (Ezekiel 3:26). Such silencing providences, speaking thundering language to gracious hearts, yet even then, the keepers of the vineyard have a private vineyard of their own to look after, they have much home-work when no out-work.

There is a vast difference between those fields which have been well husbanded, and dressed by a skilful and diligent husbandman; and those that have been long out of husbandry. How fragrant is the one! how dry and barren the other? When you pass by a field well dressed and fenced, every thing prosperous and in exquisite order, you may know without farther enquiry, that a good husband lives there.

Thus stands the case between those places which God has blessed with a faithful painful ministry, and such as have none, or worse than none: for as the husbandman's cost and pains appears in the verdant, and fragrant hue of his fields; so a minister's pains and diligence is (ordinarily) seen in the heavenly lives, and flourishing graces of the people. The Churches of Corinth and Thessalonica, where Paul and other holy instruments spent much of their time and pains became famous and flourishing Churches (2 Corinthians 9:2). A special blessing comes along with a godly minister, to the place where special providence assigns him. Such places like Gideon's fleece, have the dew of heaven lying on them, while others round about are dry and barren.

The husbandman is not discouraged, though the seed lie long under the clods, he knows it will spring up at last, and reward him, or those that come after him, for their pains and patience in waiting for it.

Ministers should not be presently discouraged in their work, because they see but little or no appearance, of all the seed they have sown among the people. The servant of the Lord must be patient towards all, waiting if at any time God will give them repentance (2 Timothy 2:24-25). And if it never spring up in his time, it may after his death; and if so, he shall not fail of his reward ([reconstructed: John 4:36-37]). And he that reaps, receives wages, and gathers fruit to life eternal, that both he that sows, and he that reaps may rejoice together; and herein is that saying true, one sows, and another reaps. Though ministers die, yet their words live; indeed, their words take hold of men when they are in the dust (Zechariah 1:6).

Husbandmen find low ground and valleys, most fertile. Hills, however loftily they overtop the lower grounds, yet answer not the husbandman's pains, as the valleys do. These are best watered and secured from the scorching heat of the Sun.

Experience shows us, that the humblest saints are most fruitful under the Gospel. These are they that receive with meekness the engrafted word (James 1:21), whose influences abide in them, as the rain does in the low valleys. Happy is that minister, whose lot falls in such a pleasant valley. Blessed are they that sow beside all such waters, that send forth there the feet of the ox and the ass (Isaiah 32:20). Among these valleys run the pleasant springs, and purling brooks, which fertilize the neighbouring ground. Heavenly ordinances there, leave fruitful influences.

The first crop is usually the best; and the longer the husbandman tills his ground, the less it produces. After a few years its vigour and strength is spent.

The first entertainment of the Gospel is commonly the best; and what good is done by the ministry, is often done at its first entrance. New things are pretty, and very taking. John at first was to the Jews a burning and a shining light, and they were willing [for a season] to rejoice in his light (John 5:35). Paul was highly valued among the Galatians at first: such was their zeal, that they could have plucked out their eyes and have given them to him; but how quickly did this full tide ebb again? For he complains (Galatians 4:15), Where then is the blessedness you spoke of.

Lastly, when fields prove barren, and will not quit the husbandman's cost, nor answer the seed he sows in them, he plucks up the hedges, and lays it waste.

So when churches grow formal and fruitless, the Lord removes his gospel-presence from them; plucks up the hedge of his protection from about them, and lays them open, as waste ground, to be overrun by their enemies (Jeremiah 7:12). Go to Shiloh, and see what I did to it. What is become of those once famous and flourishing churches of Asia? Are they not laid waste, and trodden down by infidels? And now go to (says the great husbandman) I will tell you what I will do to my vineyard; I will pull up the hedge of it, and it shall be laid waste (Isaiah 5:5).

Thus you see the allegory opened in its particulars: from the whole, I shall present you with these five ensuing corollaries.