a Ghriftians Growth. 35 duties, and in holy fpeeches, begins to be withdrawn, and their leaves begin to fall off, they cannot pray nor fpeake ofholy things, as they were wont. Thus it is laid of fuch Profeffors, yude I a. That theirfruit withereth, even here in the eyes of men for whenGod cafieth them out, then he withdrawes his Spirit from them; and then, although they come to the Ordinances, yet theyhave no breathings ; they come to Prayer, and the Spi- rit of God is departed, and fo by degrees God withdraws fap from them, till theybe quite dead. Thus he dealt with Saul, when he had difcovered himfelfeby fparing the Amalekites, and by perfecuting David, it islaid, The Spirit of God departed from him, and he withered ever after, all his gifts vanifhed, and the fpirit or frame of heart he once had, departed from him. Sa likewife they that had notgainedby thfi, talents,Mat.25.26.their talents were taken from them, even in this life and the Spirit of God, which relied upon them,reffed upon force other that were more faithful!. Thirdly, lying long unfruitful', in the end it is laid theyare ga- thered. Our Tranflation hath it, Mengather them, which tither refpecs a punifhment in this life, that when they are cart out from the fociety ofGods people, wicked men gather them, they fall to thofe that are naught : Popifh perfons, or profane Athe- illstake them, as the Pharifees did rudas, when he cafi himfelfe out of the fociety of the Apofiles. Or elfe it may in a Meta- phor refer to the life to come; the tArngels they are the Reapers, theygather them in the lafi day, and bind them in bun- dles for the fire. So laflly, it is Paid. They are calf into the fire, and they 6u,r, . Aman would think he needed not to have added that, for being calf into the fire , they mull needs borne : but his meaning is, that of all other they make the fiercefi, hottefl fire , becaufe they are trees molt feared, and fuel/ fully dry, as the Prophet fpeaks. You then that profeffe the name ofGhrifl, take heed that you vf. be fruitfnll branches indeed. I fay to you as the Apofile faith, Rom: II. 19, 20. Becaufeofunbelie fe, they were brokenof Thou flandefi by faith be not high minded , but feare. Take heede that it be fruit that you bring forth , doe all for G o n; make
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