4. When the seed is cast into the earth, it must be covered up by the harrow, the use whereof in husbandry, is not only to lay a plain floor (as they speak) but to open and let in the corn to the bosom of the earth, and there cover it up for its security from birds that would devour it. Thus doth the most wise God provide for the security of that grace which he at first disseminated in the hearts of his people. He is as well the finisher as the author of their grace, Heb. xii. 2. and of this they may be confident, that he that hath begun a good work in them will perform it unto the day of Christ. The care of God over the graces of his people, is like the covering of the seed for security.
5. Seed-corn is in its own nature of much more value and worth than other corn ; the husbandman casts in the principal wheat. So are the seeds of grace sown in the renewed soul, for it is called the seed of Gody 1 John iii. 9. The divine nature, 2 Pet. i. 4. One dram of grace is far beyond all the glory of this world ; it is more precious than gold which perishes. 1 Pet. i. 7. " The price of it is " above rubies, and all that thou canst desire is not to be compared " with it,'' Prov. iii. 15.
6. There is a great deal of spirit and vigour in a little seed ; though it be small in bulk, yet it is great in virtue and efficacy. Gracious habits are also vigorous and efficacious things. Such is their efficacy that they overcome the world, 1 John v. 4. " Whatsoever is born " of God overcometh the world." They totally alter and change the person in whom they are. " He that persecuted us in times past, " now preacheth the faith which he once destroyed." They enable the soul to do and suffer great things for God, Heb. xi. 33, 34, 35.
7. The stalk and ear are potentially and virtually in a small grain of corn. So ai'e all the fruits of obedience which believers afterwards
THK ITEAVEXLY USE OF EARTHLY THINGS. 69
bririo- forth to God, virtually contained in those habits or seeds of grace. It is strange to consider, that from a mustard^eed^ (which, as Christ saith, is the least of all seeds) should grow such great branches that the birds of the air may build their nests in them. Surely, the heroical and famous acts and achievements of the most renowned believers sprang from small beginings at first, to that eminency and glory.
8. The fruitfulness of the seed depends upon the sun and rain, by which they are quickened, as opened largely in the next chapter. And the principles of grace in us have as necessary a dependence upon the assisting and exciting grace without us. For though it be true, they are immortal seed ; yet that is not so much from their own strength as from the promises made to them, and that constant influx from above, by which they are revived and preserved from time to time.
9. The seed is fruitful in some soils more than in others, prospers much better, and comes sooner to maturity. So do graces thrive better and grow faster in some persons than in others. " Your faith '« groweth exceedingly,'' 2 Thes. i. 3. " Whilst the things that are *' in others are ready to die,'' Rev. iii. 2. Though no man's heart be naturally a kind soil to grace, yet doubtless grace is more ad- vantaged in some dispositions than in others.
10. And lastly, their agreement, as seed, appears in this, the seed- corn is scattered into all parts of the field, as proportionally and equally as may be. So is grace diffused into all the faculties : the judgment, will, and all the affections are sowed with these new prin- ciples. " The God of peace sanctify you wholly," 1 Thes. v. 23.
And thus you see why principles of grace are called seed. Now, in the next place, (which is the second thing promised, and mainly designed in this chapter) to shew you the choiceness and excellency oftheseholy principles with which sanctified souls are embellished and adorned ; and to convince you that true grace excels all other prin- ciples by which other persons are acted, even as the principal wheat doth the chaff, and refuse stuff,I shall here institute a comparison betwixt grace and the most splendid, common gifts in the world ; and its transcendent excellency above them all, will evidently appear in the seven following particulars.
1. The most excellent common gifts come out of the common trea- sury of God's bounty, and that in a natural way. They are but the improvement of a man's natural abilities, (or as one calls them) the sparks of nature blown up by the wind of a more benign and liberal education; but principles of grace are of a divine and heavenly ori- ginal and extraction, not induced or raised from nature, but superna- turally infused by the Spirit from on high, John iii. 6. " That which " is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is " spirit." When a soul is sanctified by them, " he partakes of the „ divine nature," 2 Pet. i. 4. " Is born not of fliesh, nor of bloody
70 HUSBANDRY SPIRITUALIZED ; Olt,
" nor of the will of mail, but of God," John i. 13. In this respect they differ from gifts, as the heavenly manna which was rained down from heaven differs from common bread, which, by pains and indus* try, the earth produces in a natural Way.
% The best natural gifts afford not that sweetness and solid com- fort to the soul that grace doth ; they are but a dry stalk that affords no meat for a soul to feed on. A man may have an understanding full of light, and an heart void of comfort at the same time; but grace is a fountain of purest living streams of peace and comfort, 1 Pet. i, 8. " Believing, we rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory : " light is sown for the righteous, and joy for the upright in heart." All true pleasures and delights are seminally in grace, Psal. xcvii. 11. They are sown for them in these divine and heavenly graces, which are glory in the bud.
3. Gifts adorn the person, but do not secure the soul from ^vrath. J-.-, ^ . A man may be admired for them among men, and
. '' ' f V rejected eternally by God. Who can considerately , J read that sixth chapter of the Hebrews, and not