The spirituall use of an orchard, or garden of fruit-trees. Set forth in divers similitudes betweene naturall and spirituall fruit-trees, in their natures, and ordering, according to Scripture and experience. The second impression; with the addition of many similitudes. By Ra: Austen, author of the first part. By Ra: Austen, author of the first part.

The Eleventh Observation in Nature.

WE finde by experience that after a plant is engrafted, both the Graft and the stock will shoote forth, and if the Graft grow vigorously, and strongly, then the shootes of the stock are but weake, but if the shoots of the stock break out strongly, then the Graft growes but weakly, therefore the husbandman takes paines often to cut off the shoots that grow upon the stock, that so the graft may grow the better.

This is another Similitude of the state of Mysticall Fruit-trees, and shadowes forth unto us this Proposition. That

While the Spirituall part in us acts and growes strongly, the fleshly part acts but weakely: So also, if the flesh be strong, the spirit is weake.

In all persons Regenerate, there are two Natures the one con∣trary to the other, the Spirit, and the flesh, the new man, and the old man, the Divine Nature, and Corrupt Nature: these two Na∣tures abide in us, and act in us so long as we live, in this earthly Tabernacle: and they strive one against the other, so that it is the care of the husbandman, and is, or should be our continuall labour, and businesse to strengthen the spirituall part against the fleshly part.

We find by Experience, That while the spirituall part acts live∣ly, and strongly, the Carnall part is downe; While it is by the Spirit of God, raised up to a high pitch, and enlarged with delight, and joy in God and Communion with him in Meditation and Prayer, then all the while Corruptions are low, and weake, and (as it were) subdu'd.

The Apostle tells us what we must doe to keep downe Cor∣ruptions: Gal. 5.16. This I say, walk in the spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lusts of the flesh. While the soule is in a spirituall frame, and hath cleare apprehensions of the love of God in Christ: then it is active and lively in all the waies of God, though the flesh, be

as a strong man Armed; yet when this spirituall man, (that is stronger then he) riseth up, and bestirs himselfe, he is able to bind him, and keepe him under, and rules in the soule, untill there be an abating, and slacking of his spirituall strength, and then the flesh will soone discover it selfe, and stirre, and act, as tempta∣tions, and occasions arise: and then on the other side, the Spiritu∣all part acts but weakely, it is downe, low, flat, wanting life and power, during such stirrings, and workings of the flesh. Rom. 7.23. I see a Law in my members warring against the Law of my mind, and lea∣ding me captive &c.

This should teach us often to observe, and take notice of the actings of our spirits, of the frame and temper of them, whether the stock or the Graft, bud the faster, what shootes the soule puts forth, of what kind, what the motions of our soules are, whether holy and spirituall, or carnall, and earthly: cutting off these, and pre∣serving, and cherishing those.

If we were watchfull daily, and tooke paines with our spirits to keepe them up in a spirituall frame, in Communion with God, then (by degrees) the shootes, and growths of the spirituall part, would become strong, and the shootes of the flesh weak and feeble.

O that this were well weighed and practised by Christians! it is the very life, Spirit and power of godlinesse, thus to walk with God, in communion with him: hereby we are enabled to doe, and suffer all things for God, and to resist, and keep under the flesh and all Enemies: This is the life of our life, and heaven upon Earth.

Notes

• Proposition shadowed.
• Luk. 11.21.
• 1 Vse.