Use 3

USE III.

And let it awaken all to see to ourselves that we be fruitful. Look to yourselves that you be really engaged in the service of God, and doing of his works. The thought that we may be barren in this regard, should make us the more careful to look to ourselves that we be not so. It concerns every individual to do so for himself, and there are these three arguments that should move us hereunto.

1. Consider that God expects fruit of every one in his Church. He looks for it, and you can no otherwise answer the end of your being set there. This has been already evidenced, and it has a mighty plea in it; for does not God deserve it of you? Is it not an ill requital of all his care and cost laid out upon you, to deny it to him? Is it not the most unreasonable thing that you should stand within the fence, and take up room in the ground, and be of no profit at all?

2. And God observes as well as expects: and should not this be a consideration of weight with you, to think that whatever I am doing, God's jealous eye is upon me? If I am barren, he keeps the account of that, and if I am fruitful, he will not forget that. He that knows that he is always under the watchful inspection of the great God, had need to be careful of himself.

3. And if you be not fruitful, he will not always bear it: and this your very reason may assure you of. Though he be patient, yet he can be weary with forbearing: and this is a solemn consideration, and should carry great awe in it to all our hearts. You cannot promise yourselves always to be indulged, unless goodness leads you to repentance. And for your help here.

1. Be sensible of your native barrenness, and go to God to remove it. Sense of impotency is the first step to profitableness. A proud opinion of our own righteousness, is the main remora to our conversion. God only can teach us to profit; when a barren heart is felt, and burdensome, he is ready to afford his help to all those that come to him, and pray against it.

2. Beware of hearkening to Satan, and resisting the Spirit of God. This is the undoing of multitudes under the Gospel; Satan ensnares them with his temptations, and they comply with them: the Spirit of God comes and solicits them and they regard him not. Hearken to him, and he will work your works in and for you.

3. Improve the means with diligence. The means of grace are suitable, but if they be neglected they will not profit us. Hearken to counsel, take warning, receive instruction, embrace the encouragements given you, and apply all to practice.