Religion & morality > Human nature in its four-fold state ... in several practical discourses

Head II. Fruitfulnefs, 34.5
fmalleft Twig, that’s, found at the Heart, will draw
Nourilhment from the Stock, and grow ; while the
greateft Bough that’s rotten, can never recover, be-
caufe it receives no Nourilhment. (2.) Labour to
be ftcdfaft in the Truths and Way of God. An
unfcttled and wavering Judgment, is a great
Enemy to Chriftian Growth and Fruitfulnefs, as
the Apoftle teaches, Eph. iv. 14,» 15. ttbat we
henceforth be no more Children tojfed to and fro, and
carried about with every IVmd of DoBnne. But
fpeaking the 'Truth in Love, may grow up into him
in all Things, which is the Head, even Chrift. A
rolling Stone gathers no Fog, and a wavering Judg¬
ment makes a fruitlefs Life. Tho’ a Tree be never
fo found ; yet how can it grow, or be fruitful, if
ye be ftill removing it out of one’ Soil into ano¬
ther ? (3.) Endeavour to cut oft' the Suckers, 'as
Gardiners do, that their Trees may thrive. Thefe
are unmortified Lufts. Therefore mortify your Mem¬
bers that are upon the Earth, Col. iii. 5. When
the Ifraelites got Meat to their Lu is, they got Lean-
nefs to their Souls. She that has many hungry Chil¬
dren about her Hand,' and mull be llill putting in¬
to their Mouths, will have much ado to get a Bit
put into her own. They mull rcfufe the Cravings
of inordinate Afte&ions, who would have xEdt Souls
to profper. Lafily, Improve, for thefe Ends, the
Ordinances of God. The Courts of our God are
the Place, where the Trees of Righteoufnefsjfown/fr,
Pfal. xcii. r 3. The Waters of the San&uary, are
the Means appointed of God, to caufe his People
grow as Willows by the Waver Courfes. Therefore
drink in with Defire the fmcere Milk of the Word,
that ye may grow thereby, 1 Pet. ii. 2, Come to
thefe Wtils of Salvation ; not to look at them only,
but