307. A Christian in his right temper is compared to the best of every- thing. If to a lily, the fairest ; if to a cedar, the tallest ; if to an olive- tree, the most fruitful : ' And his smell shall be as Lebanon.' We should therefore make use of all natural things, and apply them to spiritual. If we see a lily, think of God's promise and our duty; we shall grow as lilies. When we see a tall tree, think, I must grow higher in grace ; and when we see a vine, think, I must grow in fruitfulness. When we go into our orchards or gardens, let the sight of these things raise our thoughts higher unto a consideration of what is required of us.
308. As it is the glory of the olive-tree to be fruitful, so it is the glory of a Christian to be fruitful in his place and calUng; and the way to be fruitful, is to esteem fruitfulness a glory. It is a gracious sight to see a Christian answer his profession, and flourish in his own standing; to be fruitful, and shine in good works. When ability, and opportunity, and a heart answerable to all, meet for doing good, this is glorious.
309. When we go about any action or business, let us always ask our souls this question, Is this suitable to my caUing, to my hopes ? But if not. Why do I do it ? I that am a king to rule over my lusts, doth this agree with my condition ? This base act, this base company, shall such a man as I do this ? When a man brings his heart to reason thus with himself, it will breed Ephraim's resolution, ' What have I any more to do with idols ? ' And in walking thus circumspectly, we shall find a heat of comfort accompanying every good action; and a sweet relish upon the conscience, with humility and thankfulness, acknowledging all the strength we have to be from the dew of his grace.
310. In times of calamity, God will have a care of his fruitful trees ; as in chap. xx. of Deut., ver. 19, the Israelites were commanded that they should not destroy the trees that bare fruit. So though God's judgments come amongst us, yet God will have a special care of his children that be fruitful, but the judgments of God will light heavy upon barren trees. Aud howsoever God may endure barrenness in the want of means, yet he will not in the use of means. It were better for a bramble to be in the wilderness than in an orchard ; nothing will bear us out but fruitfulness.
311. It may be observed that old men seem not to grow, nor to be so zealous as many young Christians ; but the reason is, because there is in young Christians a greater strength of natural parts, and that shews itself, and makes a great expression. But aged men they grow in strength and stableuess, and are more refined. Their knowledge is more clear, their
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actions more pure, their zeal raore refined, and not mingled with wild-fire ; and therefore, though old Christians be not carried with a full stream, yet they are more stable and judicious, more heavenly-minded, more mortified. They grow in humility, out of a clearer sight of their own corruptions.
212. In true conversion the soul is changed to be of the same mind with Christ, that as he is affected, so the soul of such a one is affected ; and as he loathes all ill, so upon this ground there must be a loathing of whatso- ever is evil. But a carnal man is like a wolf driven from the sheep, that yet retains his wolfish nature ; so these men that are driven from ihetr sins only out of terror of conscience, they are aflrighted with sin, but they do not hate it ; therefore a loathing of evil is required as well as the leaving of it.
313. If we would make it evident that our conversion is sound, we must loathe and hate sin from the heart. Now, a man shall know his hatred of evil to be true, first, if it be universal ; he that hates sin truly hates all sin. Secondly, where there is true hatred it is unappeasable ; there is no appeasing of it but by abolishing the thing it hates. Thirdly, hatred is a more rooted affection than anger ; anger may be appeased, but hatred is against the whole kind. Fourthly, if our hatred be true, it hates all ill in ourselves first, and then in others ; he that hates a toad, hates it most in his own bosom. Many, like Judah, are severe in censuring of others, but are partial to themselves. Fifthly, he that hates sin truly, hates the greatest sin in the greatest measure; he hates it in a just proportion. Sixthly, our hatred is right if we can endure admonition and reproof for sin, and not be in rage with him that tells us of it ; therefore those that swell against reproof hate not sin ; only with this caution, it may be done with such indiscretion and self-love, that a man may hate the proud manner. Therefore in discovering our hatred of sin in others, we must consider our calling. It must be done in a sweet temper, with reserving due respect of those to whom we shew our dishke, that it may be done out of true zeal, and not out of wild-fire.