Second Part — Chapter 4
Dead barren Trees you for the fire prepare,
In such a case, all fruitless persons are.
OBSERVATION.
AFter many years patience, in the use of all means to recover a fruit Tree, if the Husbandman see it be quite dead, and that there can be no more expectation of any fruit from it, he brings his ax and hews it down by the root; and from the Orchard its carried to the fire, it being then fit for nothing else; he reckons it imprudent to let such a useless tree abide in good ground, where another might be planted in its room, that will better pay for the ground it stands in. I my self once saw a large Orchard of fair, but fruitless trees, all rooted up, rived abroad, and ricked up for the fire.
APPLICATION.
THus deals the Lord by useless and barren Professors who do but cumber his ground, Mat. 3. 10. And now also, the ax is laid to the root of the trees; therefore every tree that brings not forth good fruit, is hewn down and cast into the fire. And Luke 13. 7. Then said the dresser of the vineyard, Behold, this three years I came seeking fruit on this [•]ig-tree, and find none, cut it down, why cumbereth it the ground? These three years, alluding to the time of his Ministery, he being at that time entring upon his last half year, as one observes, by harmonizing the Evangelists; so long he had waited for the fruit of his Ministery, among those dead-hearted Iews: now his patience is even at an end, cut them down (says he) why cumber they the ground? I will plant others, (viz. the Gentiles) in their room. This hewing down of the barren tree does in a lively manner shadow forth Gods judicial proceedings against formal and empty Professors under the Gospel; and the resemblance clearly holds in these following particulars.
The tree that is to be hewen down for the fire, stands in the Orchard among other flourishing trees, where it has enjoyed the benefit of a good soyl, a strong fence and much culture; but being barren, these priviledges secure it not from the fire. It is not our standing in the visible church, by a powerless profession among real Saints, with whom we have been associated, and enjoyed the rich and excellent waterings of Ordinances, that can secure us from the wrath of God, Mat. 3. 8. 9. Bring forth fruits meet for repentance, and think not to say within your selves, we have Abraham to our father. Neither Abraham, nor Abrahams God, will acknowledge such degenerate children; if Abrahams faith be not in your hearts, it will be no advantage that Abrahams bloud runs in your veins. 'Twill be a poor plea for Iudas, when he shall stand before Christ in judgment, to say, Lord, I was one of your family, I preached for you, I did eat and drink in your presence. Let these Scriptures be consulted, Mat. 7. 22. Mat. 25. 11, 12. Rom. 2. 17. ad 25.
The Husbandman does not presently cut down the tree because it puts not forth as soon as other trees do, but waits as long as there is any hope, and then cuts it down. Thus does God wait upon barren dead-hearted persons, from Sabbath to Sabbath, and from year to year; for the Lord is long-suffering to us-ward, and not willing that any should peri[•]h, but all come to repentance, 2 Pet. 3. 9. Thus the long-suffering of God waited in the dayes of Noah upon those dry trees, who are now smoaking and flaming in hell, 1 Pet. 3. 20. He waits long on sinners, but keeps exact accounts of every year and day of his patience, Luke 13. 7 These three years. And Ier. 25. 3. These 23 years.
When the time is come to cut it down, the dead tree cannot possibly resist the stroke of the ax, but receives the blow, and falls before it. No more can the stoutest sinner resist the fatal stroke of death, by which the Lord hews him down, Eccles. 8. 8. There is no man that has power over the Spirit, to retain the Spirit; neither has he power in the day of death, and there is no discharge in that war. When the pale horse comes, away you must into the land of darkness; Though you cry with Adrian, O my poor soul, whither art you going! die you must, you barren Professor; though it were better for you to do any thing else than to die. What a dreadful screech will your conscience give, when it sees the ax at your root! and say to you, as it is, Ezek. 7. 6. An end is come, the end is come; it watcheth for you, behold it is come. O, said Henry Beauford, (that rich and wretched Cardinal, Bishop of Winchester, and Chancellor of England, when he perceived whereto he must) therefore must I die? If the whole Realm would save my life, I am able either by policy to get it, or by riches to buy it. Fye (quoth he) will not death be hired? will riches do nothing? No, neither riches nor policy can then avail.
That side to which the Tree leaned most while it stood, that way it will fall, when it is cut down; and as it falls so it lies, whether to the South or North, Eccles. 11. 3. So it fares with these mystical trees; I mean fruitless Professors. Had their hearts and affections inclined and bended heavenward while they lived, that way no doubt they had fallen at their death; but as their hearts inclined to sin, and ever bended to the world; so when God gives the fatal stroke; they must fall hell-ward, and wrath-ward; and how dreadful will such a fall be?
When the dead tree is carried out of the Orchard, it shall never be among the living trees of the Orchard any more; many years it grew among them, but now it shall never have a place there again. And when the barren Professor is carried out of the world by death, he shall never be associated with the Saints any more. He may then say, farewell all you Saints, among whom I lived, and with whom I so often heard, fasted, prayed. I shall never see your faces more, Mat. 8. 11, 12. I say to you, that many shall come from the East and West, and North and South, and shall sit down with Abraham, Isaac and Iacob, in the Kingdom of heaven; but the children of the Kingdom shall be cast forth into outer darkness, there shall be weeping, and wailing, and gnashing of teeth.
When the dead tree is carried out of the Orchard, the Husbandman cuts off his branches, and rives him asunder with his wedges. This also is the lot of barren Professors. The Lord of that servant will come in a day, when he looketh not for him, and will cut him asunder; he shall be diffected, or cut abroad, Luke 12. 46.
Now therefore consider this, you that forget God, le[•]t I tear (or rend) you in pieces, Psal. 50. 22. O direful day! when the same hand which planted, pruned, and watered you so long, and so tenderly, shall now strike mortal strokes at you, and that without pity: For be that made them will not have mercy on them, and be that formed them will shew them no favour, I[•]a. 27. 11. For the day of mercy is over, and the day of his wrath is fully come.
When this tree is cleav'd abroad, then itsi rotten, hollow inside appears, which was the cause of its barrenuess; it looked like a Fair and sound bodied tree, but now all may see how rotten it is at the heart: So will God in that day, when he shall di[••]ect the barren Professor, discover the rottenness of his heart, and un[•]oundness of his principles and ends, then they who never suspected him before, shall see what a hollow and rotten-hearted Professor he was.
Lastly, the fruitless tree is cast into the fire. This also is the end and sad issue of formality, Iohn 15. 6. He is cast forth as a branch, and is withered, and men gather them and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. This is an undou[•]t[•]d truth, That there is no plant in Gods vineyard, but he will have glory from it by bearing fruit, or glory on it by burning in the fire. In this fire shall they lye, gnashing their teeth, Luke 13. 38. and that both in indignation against the Saints, whom they shall see in glory, and against Iesus Christ, who would not save them; and against themselves, for losing so foolishly the opportunities of salvation. Do you behold when you sit by the fire, the froth that boyles out of those flaming logs? O think of that some and rage of these undone creatures, foaming and gnashing their teeth in that fire which is not quenched, Mark 9. 44.
REFLECTION.
HOw often have I passed by such barren trees, with a more barren heart? as little thinking such a tree to be the emblem of my self, as Nebuchadnezz[•]r did, when he saw that tree in a dream which represented himself, and shadowed forth to him his ensuing misery, Dan. 4. 13. But, Oh my conscience! my drousie, sleepy conscience! wert you but tender and faithful to me, you wouldst make as round and terrible an application of such a spectacle to me as the faithful Prophet did to him, v. 22. And thus wouldst you, O my soul, bemoan your condition!
Poor wretch, here I grow for a little time, among the trees of righteousness, the plants of renown; but I am none of them, I was never planted a right seed; some green and flourishing leaves of profession indeed I have, which deceive others, but God cannot be deceived; he sees I am fruitless and rotten at the heart. Poor soul, what will your end be but burning! Behold the axlyeth by your root, and wonder it is, that there it should lye so long, and I yet standing! still mercy pleads for a fruitless creature; Lord, spare it one year longer. Alas! he need strike no great blow to ruine me, his very breath blows to destruction, Iob 4. 9. a frown of his face can blast and ruine me, Psal. 80. 6. he is daily sollicited by his justice to hew me down, and yet I stand. Lord, cure my barrenness; I know you hadst rather see fruit, than fire upon me.
The Poem.
IF after pains and patience, you can see
No hopes of fruit down goes the barren tree:
You will not suffer trees that are unsound,
And barren too, to cumber useful ground.
The fatal ax is laid to the root
It's fit for fire, when unfit for fruit.
But though this be a dead, and barren tree;
Reader, I would not have it so to you.
May it to you this serious thought suggest,
In all the Orchard this dead tree's the best.
Think on it sadly, lay it close to heart;
This is the case in which you wast, or art.
If so you wast, but now dost live and grow,
And bring forth fruit, what praise, and thanks dost ow
To that wise Husbandman that made you so!
O think when justice listed up its hand,
How mercy did then interceding stand!
How pity did on your behalf appear,
To beg reprieval for another year.
Stop Lord, forbear him; all hope is not past,
He can but be for fire at the last.
Though many Sermons, many a gracious call
He has resisted like a brazen wall.
The next may win him, then your grace shall raise
To it self a monument of praise.
How should this meditation thaw and melt
The heart of him that has such mercy felt.
But if you still remain a barren tree,
Then here as in a mirrour; you may'st see
Your wretched state, when justice at a blow,
Requites Gods patience in your overthrow.
And canst you bear it? can your heart endure.
To think of everlasting burnings? sure
This must your lot, your fearful portion be;
If you continue still a barren tree.
