Use 1

USE I.

For Information: Learn hence;

1. That God is to be acknowledged in all the benefits which his Church partakes in. All that they are or have more or better than the World, they owe it to him. His Vineyard lay open till he fenced it off, and had done so still, if he had not done it: are any place or people made to enjoy the Gospel and means of grace? They are of God's providing and bestowing; and that these are preserved to them in despite of all the malice of Satan, and rage of ungodly men, is because God is concerned for and looks after this Vineyard of his — yes, that there is a visible Church at this day in the World, and it is not long ago extinct, no thank to the enemy, nor to the people of God themselves, but to him. They may sing after the Psalmist (Psalm 124, begin.): "Had not the Lord been on our side," etc. Nor is it any deserving of theirs, who have often provoked him to lay them open; but only because they are his, and it has pleased him to make them his people (1 Samuel 12:22).

2. That God is to be seen and adored in all the tribulations that come upon his Church at any time. Is it his vineyard? Then certainly there can be no breach made in its hedge, no beast of prey get into it to devour, nor inroads be made upon it, but by his permission, and over-ruling hand; and when it is so, it is a witness of his displeasure. It says there is some fault that he finds with it, that it does not answer his expectation; that its returns have not been according to the improvement. They are therefore to look beyond instruments; yes his Church does acknowledge his anger in it (Psalm 80:18), and this tells us what is the duty incumbent on the people of God, when at any time it is so, namely to fall down penitently before him, to confess our unfruitfulness, and beg his mercy, and amendment of us; and in this way to wait for his return again to his vineyard.

3. How dangerous it is for any to go about to harm the Church. All the damage, mischief, [illegible] that is done to the vineyard falls upon the Owner; he looks upon himself as touched in it, and thereupon concerned to sue for reparation. God accounts that they who touch his people, touch the apple of his eye, and therefore when they suffer, they can plead, it is for your sake (Psalm 44:21), and thereupon they can argue, arise, plead your own cause (Psalm 74:22). Needs then it must be a daring and dangerous attempt for any to set themselves to pluck down the hedges, or bark the trees, or hurt the vines; they resist God, and whoever resisted him and prospered? And this may help the patience of God's people, and tell them what reason there is, why they should quietly and confidently commit all such things to him, knowing assuredly that he will find a time to right them, because his own glory is therein concerned.

4. That nothing is to be done in the visible Church without God's direction. If it be his vineyard; of his planting, ordering, disposing, who then shall dare to alter, or add to his pleasure about it? The Owner indeed may set watchmen to guard, and husbandmen to dress his Vineyard; but they must wait his advise and order in the management of it: and for them to add, alter, take away, without consulting him, much more against his direct command, is audaciousness, and highly provoking. And if the Church be God's Vineyard, we are sure that he has stated it, put all the plants in their order and method; for men then to displace, bring an order into his Church, that never entered into his heart, and remove that which he has established, is high contempt.