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§. 47. Of Gods blessing on bringing forth Herbs meet for them, by whom the earth is dressed.
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6. BRinging forth Herbs declareth the end of sending rain: and sheweth what is* 1.1 thereupon expected.
By a 1.2 Herbs are meant all manner of good fruit: whereunto bryers and thornes are opposed. Thus here it is to be taken of those, who enjoying Gods Ordinances do bring forth good fruit.
The verb translated, b 1.3 bringeth forth, is properly used of womens bringing forth children, Mat. 1. 23, 25. Now the seed or root of herbs lyeth in the earth, as a childe in the womb of a woman, and when it sprouteth up, it is as it were brought 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of the womb.
* 1.4 The Greek word translated herb, according to the notation of it, signifieth such a kinde of herb as may be fed upon, which we call, from the c 1.5 latin notation; pasture. It implyeth therefore such fruit as is pleasant and profitable.
Hereupon it becomes us to prove what is the good, acceptable and perfect will of God, (Rom. 12. 2.) that we may bring forth such fruit, and do such works as are intended under this Metaphor, herbs.
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7. That we may be the better directed about that good fruit, the Apostle thus describes the foresaid herbs, meet for them by whom it is dressed.
The verb translated d 1.6 dressed, is a compound of two nounes, which signifie e 1.7 earth and f 1.8 labour.
The compound noun is translated an husbandman, Mat. 2•…•…. 33. Tim. 2. 6. Jam. 5. 7. This title in English we give to such as till land.
The verb here compounded, compriseth under it all that skill and paines, which useth to be taken, by such as till Land.
By them that dresse the earth, are here meant Ministers of the word. So as fruit meet for them, is such fruit, as giveth proof of a Ministers prudence, diligence, skill and faithfulness: and so be fit for him.
The Epithite,g 1.9 meet is in Greek a compound. According to the composi∣tion it signifieth, well set, or fit, Luk. 9. 62, and 14. 35. Here it signifieth such fruit as is answerable to the meanes, which hath been used to produce it: and that in the kind, quantity and quality that is expected. Such fruit is expected of such as enjoy a faithfull, painfull and powerfull pastor. It is said of the husbandman, that he waiteth for the pretious fruit of the earth, Jam. 5. 7. So the Lord where he afford∣eth meanes looketh that fruit should be brought forth, Isay 5. 2. Luk. 13. 6.
Such fruit is the end of tillage.
All ye to whom the Lord affords meanes, take notice of this end. To be bred and brought up where the word is Preached, Sacraments administred, name of God called upon, and other holy Ordinances observed, is a great priviledge. God who affordeth this priviledge, expects this duty, that fruit answerably be brought forth▪ Let us therefore, according to our duty, with the uttermost of our power endea∣vour to satisfie the expectation of the Lord: that he may not repent of the good∣ness that he hath done unto us; as he repented his making of Saul King, 1 Sam: 15. 11.
- 8. The recompence of all is thus set out, receiveth blessing from God.* 1.10
h 1.11 Blessing, according to the notation of the Greek word, yea, and of the i 1.12 La∣tine too, signifieth a speaking well. It is translated, fair speech, Rom. 16. 18. Thus it is opposed to cursing, which is a fowle speech (Jam. 3. 10.) Where it is attri∣buted to us in reference to God, it can imply nothing but speaking well of him, Rev. 5. 12, 13. For that is all the blessing that we can yeeld to God.
But where it is attributed to God in reference to us, it compriseth under it every good thing, that may make us happy: so as all that see it, or hear of it, may speak well of us. Eph. 1. 3. See §. 102.
This blessing, a fruitfull hearer of the word is said to k 1.13 receive, in that he hath it not in himself, or of himself: he must receive it from another.
This act of receiving is set down in the present tense, to set out the certainty of