164 UPON FRUIT LEFT ON I observed also how little this command of God was observed by many in our days; how little they respect his will, and make good this condition, in the grant they have of all they enjoy: though we receive all from God, and that with this proviso, that the poor shall have their part and their share out of it, yet often he that gives all and requires but a little, cannot have it; yea, though he would borrow a little of his own, he is ofttimes denied it; though he promises to repay it, yea, to repay it an hundred-fold, yet he cannot be heard. He has said, "He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack: but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse,' Prov. xxviii. 27; curses both from God and man: yet few believe that giving to the poor is the way to get wealth. God shows them many an altar, but they have no sacrifice ready; but he that " stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, shall also cry himself, but shall not be heard," Prov. xxi. 13. It is not getting but giving is the true way to wealth. Chrysostom says, "Alms is the most gainful art."" He shall have judgment without mercy, that hath showed no mercy," James ii. 13; but "he that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the Lord; and that which he hath given will he pay him again," Prov. xix. 17. Benefactions to the indigent God accepts as a gift to himself, nay, as a loan, and gives security for it, so to speak, under his hand; but those that now will not take God's word, hereafter God will not take theirs. He will require an account of their stewardship, and give away their talents to those who will better improve THE TREES AFTER SHAKING. 165 them, and assign them a reward with the unprofitable servant, Matt. xxv. 28, 30; then when too late, their eyes will be opened to see their folly. The consideration also of this little quantity of fruit left upon the trees after the shaking, made me think it presented an image of the godly, who stand fast, and remain firm after all the shakings that they meet with; when others, frost-bitten by affliction, or tossed by persecution, fall as leaves before the wind in autumn. Many are the professors in a sun-shiny day, but few can abide in a storm. "Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved," Rom. ix. 27. "All are not Israel, which are of Israel, ver. 6. These are compared to the gleaning of the grapes after the vintage; here and there one, few in comparison or to the shaking of the olive tree, where two or three berries are left in the top of the utmost boughs, and four or five in the outmost branch, one of a tribe, and two of a family, Isa. xvii. 6. Many shakings the church has already had, and much unripe fruit is fallen; and when stronger winds arise, we may imagine much more will fall; but in the last shaking, when Christ shall come "like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' soap," Mal. iii. 2, all that is unsound at heart will be discovered; then the sinners in Zion shall be afraid, fearfulness shall surprise the hearts of the hypocrites, Isa. xxxiii. 14. O my soul, take heed of being blown down; nay, take heed of being unsound, for then, fall assuredly thou wilt. It is better to be alone than 166 FRUIT LEFT ON TREES AFTER SHAKING. in such company; and better go to heaven alone than to hell with company; to stand against the storm than to be blown down with the wind. Improve thy talents to God's glory, and he will never let thee fall. O my God, let no sun of persecution wither me, nor any boisterous storm bear me down. Blessed is he that considereth the poor: the Lord will deliver him in time of trouble, Psa. xli. 1. He that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he, Prov. xiv. 21. For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he be rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich, 2 Cor. viii. 9. For, lo, I will command, and I will sift the house of Israel among all nations, like as corn is sifted in a sieve, yet shall not the least grain fall upon the earth, Amos ix. 9. Other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is, 1 Cor. iii. 11-13. XLIX. UPON THE MANY ENEMIES WHICH FRUIT TREES HAVE. For WHEN I considered how many enemies fruit trees meet with, and the incumbrances which ofttimes injure and spoil their fruit, I wondered that any brought forth fruit to maturity. sometimes they are planted in a dry soil, and then no wonder if they prosper not; sometimes in a too moist one, and then are they poisoned and rendered barren; sometimes in one too rich, and then they grow too luxuriantly; often they are barren for want of sufficient sap; sometimes for want of good husbandry, they are troubled with suckers, which draw the sap to themselves and rob the tree, and the whole tree by this means is rendered unfruitful; sometimes they are cumbered with moss and other obstructions, to their no little damage; sometimes they are molested by worms, ants, and such like insects; sometimes the winter proves unseasonable, and the spring unfavourable, so that they never bloom; and sometimes, when they have blossomed, and give good ground of hopes, yet in a moment all our hopes are dashed, and they are suddenly nipped with the frost, or blasted with lightning, or the east winds; sometimes they are rendered unfruitful by overmuch drought, and sometimes by too much wet, for both may be 168 UPON THE MANY ENEMIES injurious to the tree and to the fruit. If they escape these dangers, and are laden with fruit, much of it is often consumed by wasps, hornets, and other insects; yea, sometimes not only the fruit, but also the leaves are eaten by locusts, caterpillars, and other worms; sometimes, for want of fence, they are undermined, and spoiled by swine or cattle breaking in; and oftentimes the unripe fruit is borne down by a mighty rushing wind; as it is said, "And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind," Rev. vi. 13. And even, if they escape all these accidents, many prove barren, and many bring forth fruit which is sour, bitter, or unsavoury, and very little fruit that is really good is gathered. The consideration of this made me compare the children of men to these trees of the field, and to inquire what is the reason so few bring forth fruit to maturity. Many are planted in the dry desert heath, where they see not when good comes; they never hear of our blessed Saviour, or are privileged to listen to one gospel sermon, and these are not likely to bring forth good fruit. Many of those who live within the pale of the church are not much better: it is true, the seed is sown amongst them, but much of it falls by the wayside, and the fowls of the air pick it up, Matt. xiii. 4, the devil steals it out of their hearts; some of it falls among stones, where it has no root, so that though received with joy, and though it springs up suddenly, yet wanting root, it must needs wither; some falls among |