Chapter X (continued, part 4)
that were more faithful.
3. Lying long unfruitful, in the end it is said they are gathered. Our
translation hath it, men gather them, which either respects a punishment in this life, that when they are cast out from the society of God s people, wicked men gather them, they fall to those that are naught. Popish per sons or profane atheists take them, as the Pharisees did Judas, when he cast himself out of the society of the apostles. Or else it may in a metaphor refer to the life to come ; the angels, they are the reapers, they gather them
in the last day, and bind them in bundles for the fire.
4. So, lastly, it is said, they are cast into the fire, and they burn. A man would think he needed not to have added that, for being cast into the
fire they must needs burn ; but his meaning is, that of all other they make the fiercest, hottest fire, because they are trees most seared, and
* fuel fully
dry, as the prophet speaks. Use. You, then, that profess the name of Christ, take heed that you be fruitful branches indeed. I say to you, as the Apostle saith, Rom. xi. 19,
20, Because of unbelief they were broken off thou standest by faith. Be not
high-minded, but fear. Take heed that it be fruit that you bring forth : do
all for God, make him your end in all, bring forth more fruit every day, let
your fruit be riper and more spiritual daily, labour to spread and root your selves as much downward in inward holiness as you do upward in outward
profession, and purge yourselves continually, lest that which is threatened here befall you, which are fearful things to be spoken, and yet concern many a soul. The Apostle compares such to trees twice dead, and plucked up by the roots. You were born dead in Adam ; since that you have had per haps some union with Christ by common graces ; if you wither again, then
you are twice dead, and therefore fit for nothing but to be stubbed up and
cast into the fire. And if any soul begin to forsake the assemblies of the
saints, or be cast out from them, let him look to himself lest he wither in the end, and be twice dead, and so he never come to have life put into him
again ; that is, repent and return again. And know this, that if you, being cast out by the church and people of God, break your hearts, so that you mourn for your sin, as the incestuous Corinthian did, it is a sign you are such branches as God will yet make fruitful ; but if, being cast out, you begin to wither, as here, the end will be burning;
CHAP. I] THE TRIAL OP A CHRISTIAN S GROWTH. 45-7