John 15:2

The second branch of this general doctrine points out the Fathers various and answerable dispensations, as Husbandman toward professours and branches of this vine, according as, by their fruitfulnesse or unfruitfulnesse, they declare themselves to be true or counterfeit branches, and to be really, or in shew only, engraffed in Christ. Taking away such as are unfruitful, and purging the fruitful, that they may abound in fruit. Whence learn, 1. The condition of Professours is most fitly resembled to branches of a vine; as having no subsistence nor sap of themselves, but in Christ, more then branches have without a vine-stock; and, as being obliged to have as strict and near conjunction with him, as branches have with the tree; Which they will have, if they be really engraffed in him: For these causes doth he call them branches, here. 2. Professours are not all of one sort, nor are they all in Christ after one way and manner; some being only in him, by external and visible communion, as being in the visible Church, and externally covenanting and professing relation to him; others being also in him by faith, as having spiritual inward communion with his person; for, so is here expressed, that there are branches in him who bear not fruit, and branches that bear fruit. 3. The true touch-stone whereby to discerne one sort of branches from another, is, not their leaves or profession, but their fruit; for, here the character of the one, is, every branch in me that beareth not fruit, and of the other, every branch that beareth fruit. And in this they fitly resemble vine-branches, which are uselesse if they be not fruitful, Ezek. 15.2, &c, 4. External and fruitless branches will at last be taken away, by the discovery of their hypocrisie and unsoundnesse, and that they have no interest in him; sometime also by their just seclusion from Church society, and at last by their final separation from Christ; for, every branch in me that beareth not fruit, he taketh away, as the Husbandman taketh away uselesse branches from the vine. See v. 6. 5. There is no branch so fruitful, but it hath many imperfections and wants; for, even every branch that beareth fruit needeth to be purged, and to bring forth more fruit. 6. One particular imperfection in fruitful branches, is, that they have many luxuriant superfluities, growing up with their fruit, which hinder the increase thereof; Not only a remainder of corruption, but much corruption growing up with their grace, especially when they are in a flourishing condition without exercise; Therefore do they need to be purged, as vine-dressers do with luxuriant branches in vines, which grow up with their fruit. 7. Whatever be the imperfections of these who hold inward communion with Christ; yet they shall not be taken away, nor separate from him, but their imperfections and frailties shall endear them to the Lords care; for such branches shall not be taken away, but purged. 8. It is a rich blessing and reward of fruitfulnesse, in the godlies account, to be blessed with more fruitfulnesse; for, this is a promise to them, it shall bring forth more fruit. 9. However the Lords dealing with his people may crosse their humours, and cut off many superfluities, which are dear to them; yet he minds their real good, and fruitfulnesse thereby; for, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit 10. Men are then assured that the operations of the Lords Word and Spirit upon them, and the afflictions and crosses they meet with, are blessed to purge them from their drosse, when they abound in solid and real fruits; for, when he purgeth it, it bringeth forth more fruit.