Use 2

USE II.

For Exhortation: Let this then be a loud call to every one in the vineyard to be fruitful. Does God expect this of you? Be advised then to answer his expectation, let not this Husbandman lose his labor and cost; and for motive, consider,

God will certainly be angry with you, if you do not thus do. It will be a very great provocation to him; it will put him upon thinking what to do with you; he will be weary of his vineyard. Should the Husbandman lose his cost and labor, plant vines and they bear nothing, set fig-trees, and they bring forth unpleasant fruits; and after many essays to make it serviceable, it rather grows worse, will he not be provoked to throw it up? And so God threatens (Isaiah 5:4). There is not a readier way to bring ruin — God is not so engaged as not to do it, what says he to Jerusalem (Jeremiah 22:6)? Surely will make you a Wilderness, and Cities not Inhabited.

God will be no loser by you. It is not with him, as it is with men; if they are frustrated of their hopes, they lose all their expense; but God will not, for he needs not so to do. If the plants in his vineyard will not serve for fruit, they will do for burning, and therein also will he be glorified, and by so much as these have had more cost and pains laid out upon them, by so much more will the justice of God shine forth in his righteous revenge, when his wrath shall burn upon them in proportion to the expense which he has laid out for them. It is not he therefore but you that will be sufferers; Paul is a sweet savor of God (2 Corinthians 2:15-16).

Your fruitfulness will be your profit, it will turn to your account; God is not advantaged in himself by your righteousness (Job 35:6). If you be righteous, what do you profit him? If you are wise, it will be for your selves. The fruits of holiness, which God's people bring forth in this life, are the seeds of glory; there is a great recompense of reward that God has provided to bestow upon such. God's name indeed has the honor of it, and he deserves it; but the profit returns into the bosom of his people, the more fruit you yield the more store is laid up for you in heaven, and you shall have the comfort of it, when you rest from your labors, and your works shall follow you.

How unreasonable is it that you should not serve and glorify God in your lives? Does not every thing he does for you bespeak it? Is it not the voice of all the privileges, of all the means that you enjoy? Does not every counsel, warning, promise call for it? Every mercy invite you to it? Every affliction call upon and tell you that God expects it?

If you bear no fruit, you will have no plea for it that will stand you instead, when God shall come to reckon up all his layings out upon you, all the advantages which a day of grace has afforded you, your mouths will then be stopped, and you will be filled with amazement. Be then advised, and to that end.

Avoid all impediments or hindrances. There are many which offer themselves, from Satan, from the world, from your own hearts; as will be more particularly evidenced hereafter; if you nourish these, they will prevent your bearing fruit to God, it therefore concerns you to oppose them, and to be careful not to expose your selves to them.

Improve all the advantages that are offered to you in God's Vineyard. There are many and great, as we have observed; but it is not enjoyment but improvement that makes them serviceable to us — use the price that is in your hands, work while the day lasts, set your selves to seek and serve God. This is the way to be plants of renown, and accepted of him.