Repentance; when these two grow in the Soul, which are as neceffary for the wellfare of the Soul, as the Natural heat, and Radical moisture are for the wellfare of the Body, then the Soul profpereth. The God of all grace blefs us all with this profperity: This is profperity indeed.

But with fadness of heart, it may be faid of these two graces, what is obferved of fome Out-landish fruits, that though with much coft, and care they are transplanted into this Countrey, yet they thrive not, as they do in their native Soil, because of the coldnefs of the Climate. Even fo it is with Faith, and Repentance, though they are much spoken of, yet they thrive not: Though in refpect of their Root, they may be in the Soul, yet what through the coldness, deadness, fluggishness, and unmortifiedness of our hearts, they profper not; and therefore our Souls profper not, neither can they ever profper, while these are neglected.

2. I proceed now to the second instance of univerfal growth: and that is, when that bleffing laid up in that promife recorded, Hof. 14. 5. is given forth; when the God of all grace is as the dew to the Soul; fo that it grows as the Lilly, and as the Cedars in Lebanon. The dew, ye know, is a very sweet refreshing moisture, to the dry,

and

and thirsty ground; which foaking into the Earth, makes it bring forth its fruits, and the fruit thereof to grow. So the dew of Heavenly influences, and Divine fupplies of grace, when they fall upon the Soul, they make the Root of Divine principles to bring forth fruit, and the fruit to grow. And

when it grows as the Lilly, and as the Cedar, then the Sout profpers.

Forbearing one

(1.) When it grows as the Lilly. The Lilly, ye know, is a very lovely Plant. Solomon in all his glory, was not like it. Now, the Soul grows as the Lilly, when it grows in those lovely graces mentioned, Col. 3. 12, Bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, long fuffering. another, forgiving one another. What a lovely fight is it to fee (fo far as Man can fee) a Soul clothed with these graces? Lovely they are in the eyes even of those, that are strangers to the life, and power of Religion; they cannot skill of the myfteries of Faith, of Communion with God, of the life of Faith, of the comforts of the Holy Ghoft; but of these things they can judge, and cannot but commend. All commended Cranmer, that holy Martyr for his meekness, and kindness, even to thofe that had wronged him, that it grew to a Proverb, Do him an ill turn, and he will be your friend for ever. So likewife, it grows as the Lilly, when it grows

in gentleness, peaceableness, and eafiness, to be entreated; when there is an ingenuous facility, either to be perfwaded to what is good, or diffwaded from what is evil,though in those things that are contrary to our former apprehenfions, according to that in Fam. 3.17, But the wifdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, eafie to be entreated. This is lovely as the Lilly. Some there are who are guilty of that which is condemned, 2 Pet. 2.10, Selfwilled; that will not let go their prejudices; as if to change their mind in what they are once engaged, were a difparagement to them. This is very unlovely, for this is the greateft folly, not to give place to right Reason. This hath not been the way of those whose Souls have profpered. David hearkened to the counfel of Abigail, and thought it no difparagement unto him; yielding to the ftrength of her reasons, to alter his mind and bleffed God that he fo happily met with her, 1 Sam. 25. 32,33. It is Prophefied, Ifa. 11.6, The Wolf fhall dwell with the Lamb, &c. When Souls profper under the Government of Chrift, they will be fo far fubdued, and changed through the Spiritual efficacy: thereof, that thofe who, by nature, were as fiery, as violent, as untamed, and untractable, as Wolves, and Leopards, and Lyons, shall be so ductile, teachable, and perfwade

able

able to what is good, that a little Child fhall lead them, and prevail with them, to alter their mind, bringing Scripture and Reason with them. This is lovely; when thefe Principles of grace grow in the Soul, the Soul grows as the Lilly.

(2.) The Soul then profpers, when it grows, not only as the Lilly, but as the Cedars in Lebanon, which are much spoken of, in the Scripture. Of all Trees, these fhoot up highest, and endure longeft: The Timber whereof not being subject to rot, as other Timber. So that the Soul grows as the Cedar, when that deep, inward, rooted refpect to things below, which rules in an unmortified heart, is fo far mortified, that a Man's Treasure is changed: We now lay up our Treasure in Heaven, and fet our affections on things that are above, mounting up as the Eagles, Ifa. 40. 31. Looking after the things that are not feen, as the things our Souls delight in, having chofen them for our portion; preparing for, longing after, and rejoicing in hope of enjoying them. When things that are feen afford us but little, but matter of care, and grief, trouble, and forrow When the Soul creeps on the Earth life a Snail, and is up in the things of the World, as an Eel in the Mud,' then it never profpers.

:

2. When

2. When a lasting durable frame of godlinefs is attained, and preferved, then likewife it grows as the Cedar. As it faid of Enoch, Gen. 5.21. That he walked with God 300 years together. So it may be faid, that our beft works are at last: as Rev.2.19, I know thy works, and charity, and fervice, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works, and the laft to be more then the first. And that our Salvation is nearer, then when we (first) believed. Rom. 13.11. But when good impreffions wear off, and hardly come on again, when inward meltings quickly dry up, as the morning dew; when the Soul is as it were fick of the Staggers; now goes for ward, and then goes backward, it is far from profpering as it ought.

This is all, I have to fay to the first Particular, that in the firft Rife, and Foundation of Soul-profperity, as to any poffible evidencing that fuch a thing is begun, is laid in thofe first principles of Spiritual life, which are received by virtue of our union with Chrift; fo the growth, and progress thereof confifts in their increafe, and then, this increase, where this thriving is, is univerfal, when growth in one principle is added to another, as when Men add houfe to house, and field to field, they are said to profper in the World. Ifa.5.8. So when Faith, which is as the natural heat, is added to Repentance

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