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§. 46. Of the earths drinking in the rain that oft commeth upon it.
IF the particular branches of the comparison be duly applyed, the minde of the Apostle will be better discerned.
I conceive that it may be thus fitly applyed.
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1. The a 1.1 earth may set out children of men. For the heart of man is as the ground, dry of it self; prone to bring forth all manner of sins: which are as weed•…•…, bryers, and thornes: but by good tillage, and sowing it with good seed, and rai•…•… seasonably falling upon it, it may be made fruitfull.
Mens hearts therefore must be dealt withall, as the ground is, out of which 〈◊〉〈◊〉 expect a good crop. If the ground be not plowed, the seed may lye upon it, as up∣on a path, and the fowles eat it. If it be not plowed deep enough, it may be like the stony ground, in which that which quickly sprouteth up, may quickly with•…•…r away. If Bryers, and thornes be suffered to grow, where the word is sowen, the word may be choked, Matth. 13. 19, &c.
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2. By b 1.2 dressing the ground, the Ministry of the word may be meant. For Mi∣nisters are Gods labourers, and husbandmen, 1 Cor. 3. 9. By preaching the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 mens hearts are plowed, and harrowed. By preaching the Gospell they are 〈◊〉〈◊〉 dunged, and softned.
Ministers by well observing the disposition of their people, and answerably •…•…∣dering their Ministry, by instruction, refutation, exhortation, consolation, and •…•…∣rection, may well manure the heart of their people.
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3. By c 1.3 rain may be understood both the word of God, and also the operati∣on of Gods Spirit: without which all mans labour is in vain, 1 Cor. 3. 6. For 〈◊〉〈◊〉 heart is as the dry earth.
In the use of all means, Ministers and people must look to God, pray to him, and depend on him. Behold the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the ear•…•…, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 hath long patience for it, untill he receive the early, and latter rain, Jam. 5. 7.
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4. This Metaphor of d 1.4 drinking, takes it for granted, that the earth is a dry •…•…∣ment: and Philosophy teacheth us, that dryness is the predominant quality in the earth. Wherefore as a man, or beast that is dry, readily drinketh down beer▪ or water: and is thereby refreshed and satisfied: so the earth. This Metaphor 〈◊〉〈◊〉 implyeth a receiving and applying the meanes of grace (whereby they are refreshed) to mens selves. The Metaphor further implyeth a capacity in the earth to receive the rain, and to be bettered by it. Hard things receive not any rain into then, nor can they be mollified thereby. They therefore cannot be said to drink it.
Gods word, as here understood by rain, is drunk in, when it is applyed to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 soul by faith. Hereupon faith is oft set forth under drinking, Ioh. 4. 14. and 6. 53, 54. and 7. 37.
Let us therefore, who have the spirituall rain of Gods word afforded unto 〈◊〉〈◊〉 be like the earth; and drink it in: and that by applying it to our own soules.
- 5. This phrase, e 1.5 that commeth oft upon it, setteth out the divine provid•…•…, which is ordered according to the need of creatures: and that in two respects.
- 1. In causing rain to come upon the earth. For the earth hath not rain in it self God giveth rain from heaven, Act. 14. 17. So doth God cause his word to come to us, and poureth his Spirit upon us.
- 2. In that rain commeth oft upon the earth. Though the earth be once •…•…∣rowly watered, yet it will soon be dry again: as Christ saith of men in reference to the ordinary water which they use, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall 〈◊〉〈◊〉 again, Joh 4. 13. Therefore God gives early and latter rain, (Jam. 5. 7.) and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 time after time. Thus doth he afford us his word frequently and plentifully, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 a sweet rain that commeth oft upon us. The earth doth not more need this 〈◊〉〈◊〉 comming of the rain, than we the oft preaching of the word.
Let us not therefore lightly esteem this evidence of the divine providence, by rea∣son of the frequency thereof, as the Israelites did lightly esteem and even loath M•…•…∣na, that daily fell among them, Numb. 11. 6. and 21. 5. Let us rather well 〈◊〉〈◊〉 our continuall need of the word, and the great benefit that we may reap the•…•…▪ and in that respect be thankfull for this plentiful provision.