THE FLOURISH OF THE Annual Spring, Improved in a SERMON Preached at the ancient THURSDAY LECTURE in Boston, May 3. 1739.
By MATHER BYLES, A.L.M. Pastor of a Church in Boston.
BOSTON, Printed and Sold by ROGERS and FOWLE at the Printing-Office over-against the South-East Corner of the Town House. 1741.
THE FLOURISH OF THE Annual Spring.
— Rise up—and come away. For lo, the Winter is past, the Rain is over and gone. The Flowers appear on the Earth, the Time of the singing of Birds is come—arise—and come away.
OF all the meer Men who have lived since the Fall of Adam, the Author of this beautiful Passage is pronounced the wisest, by the GOD of Heaven. And of all the Books which he wrote, this is, [Page 6]without Dispute, the most elegant, sublime and devout. The three Books which Solomon wrote, are resembled to the three Divisions of the Temple which he built; of which the Holy of Holies is compar'd to this admirable Song. His Proverbs contain an excellent Scheme of Morality; and to this answers the outward Enclosure, called the Court of the Gentiles. His Ecclesiastes contains the Disquisitions of a philosophical and religious Genius after true Happiness; and the solemn Reflections and pious Arguments render it a holy Place. But this Divine Song is all consecrated Rapture; 'tis the Holy of Holies: It must be approach'd with Reverence and Trembling, and it admits of no unhallowed Feet to tread its awful Recesses.
The Title of the Book is, The Song of Songs; and it well deserves the Name, for it is the finest poetical Composure now extant in the World. It is not every where over-nice and exact in its Metaphers and Allusions; but they are bold and grand, elevated and lofty, all Fire, all consecrated Rapture and Inspiration!
[Page 7] The Criticks in the Art of Poetry will presently see that it is a Dramatic Composition of that kind to which perhaps the Moderns would give the Name of a Pastoral Opera. That it is a Dramatic Performance is easily discerned, inasmuch as it consists whol [...] of Action, Dialogue, and Character: [...] is a personal Representation of Passion and History, all which are the exact Description and Character of the Drama. It is an Opera; it seems to confist of three Acts; The Numbers are of the Lyrick Kind; and it has in it the evident Intimations of Musick, and a Chorus. And it is a Pastoral; for the Scenes are mostly laid in the Country; and the Characters and Images are principally rural.
But more than this, [...]is a Divine Poem *. It contains a [...]e Picture of [Page 8]the Loves of CHRIST and his Church. He is the heavenly Bridegroom, and she the beautiful Shepherdess, that are the principal Speakers in the Song. With how much Admiration doe [...] the sacred Spouse look up to the lovely JESUS, and how full of Passion and Transport are her Expressions about him! And on the other Hand, with what Tenderness and Delight does the blessed SAVIOUR overlook the Defects of his Church, and applaud the Graces which he had before lighted up in her smiling Form? Who is she that looketh forth as the Morning? Fair as the Moon, clear as the Sun, and awful as an Army with Banners?
Among the many fond and endearing Sentences, my Text is none of the least remarkable. There are a thousand Beautiful glowing in the Sentiments and Expressions. 'Tis a Speech that well suits with the graceful Lips of him, who spake so as never Man spake; that well sutes with the heavenly Form of her, who is the chosen Bride of JESUS CHRIST — O thou fairest among the most elegant of the Works of GOD!
[Page 9] The Words are a Description of the Spring of the Year, in the Land of Canaan. Great Part of it may be literally applied to our Spring: But in some Respects it varies. The Winter there, as in our Mother-Country, used to be cloudy and rainy, and a steady fair Weather used to smile on the Face of the Spring. Indeed it is otherwise in our inconstant Climate, where we see the Clouds so frequently returning after the Rain.
Without going into the mystical or prophetical Way of explaining these Words, I shall only observe, That they are the Invitation of CHRIST to his beloved Church. Every true Believer in JESUS, and Follower of the Lamb, may apply the Address to himself. He may take up his Bible, and say, I hear the dear Words of my LORD JESUS, Arise up, and come away.—Besure when the Flowers appear on the Earth; when the Rain and Cold of the Winter is past, and the Spring begins to blossom and flourish, and renew the Face of the Ground, this Call is in a peculiar Manner to be heard, from our blessed Redeemer, Arise and come away.
[Page 10] The Doctrine then that I shall offe [...] from the Words, is this.
DOCTRINE.
In the Illustration of this Point [...] Doctrine, I shall do two Thing [...]. I. Show what is implied in the Call [...] CHRIST, Rise up, and come awa [...] II. Why this Call is in a peculiar Ma [...] ner seasonable when the Winter is pas [...] and the Spring opens.
I. What is implied in the Invitati [...] of CHRIST, Rise up, and come away [...]
I shall be but brief here, that I m [...] hasten to a more seasonable and u [...] common Set of Meditations. And [...] short then, when we hear the Cal [...] [...] CHRIST, Rise up, and come away, [...] presently discover the Condition [...] those who are addressed! They are i [...] dolent and supine and sleepy Creature [...]. They want to be roused and quickne [...] and are by Nature bowed down, [...] [Page 11] [...]ure and dead. The Voice is, Rise up. Shake off the mortal Lethargy that hangs upon your Eye-lids. Arise from the dead, and CHRIST shall give thee Life. A wake thou that sleepest, and call upon thy GOD. And indeed, all Mankind need such a Call as this, for [...]hey are dead in Trespasses and Sins. They are cold and lifeless Corpses, unable to help themselves, and can do nothing spiritually Good. They are not able as of themselves, to think so much as a good Thought: And they have only a Power of chusing which Sin to commit. They may if they please talk of a Free-Will, and amuse themselves with the idle Notion. But alas, they are free amongst the dead: Free 'tis true, in their Choice of Wickedness, but it must be the infinite Power of GOD that can incline them to any Thing spiritually good. Our preaching to them is indeed only prophesying over dry Bones: Though this sometimes does Wonders. In one Word, they act entirely from selfish Principles, negligent and forgetful of the Glory of GOD. They are [...]owed down to Earth and Creatures, [Page 12]and their own abject Will; and have need to be awaked, Rise up.
And what is implied in this Phrase, when it is spoken by our Lord CHRIST to his People? In a few Words, It comprises in it, our Duty to our LORD JESUS. We are called to believe in CHRIST. To rise up from a vain Earth, and raise our Eyes to invisible and eternal Realities. To walk by Faith, and not by Sight.
Rise up; 'tis a Call to Repentance that we are by Nature so bowed down. It comes with a Voice of Conviction and Awakening; to rouse our drowsy Faculties, and shake us from our Security and Indifference. Rise up, or we shall lie down among the dead; slide down to the Congregation of the damned.
'Tis a Call to Holiness and Obedience. Rise up and walk: It demands a holy Walk of us; and tells us that our Conversation should be in Heaven; that we should seek the Things which are above, and carry our Treasure over into the other World. The Path of the Just—shines brighter as it rises higher.
[Page 13] Rise up, it bespeaks our Meditation and Prayer. Lift up your Eyes and Hands, your Hearts and your Souls. Is it not a Shame that this Earth should [...]eize our Thoughts and Affections, [...]nd GOD and CHRIST have so little of them. There is not an Object we [...]ee, but may serve to raise our Thoughts [...]o GOD. His glorious Name is di [...]inely impressed upon all his Works; [...]nd with one Voice, they all call out [...]o us, GOD! GOD! ‘I was made by GOD! I am supported by GOD! I am a Servant of GOD! and an Instrument in his Hand! Rise up! Arise and adore GOD. Contemplate him, pray to him, adore and bless him.’
But to finish this Point, It will be the Call of CHRIST to us quickly to leave this World; Rise up and come away. Death shall arrive with this welcome Message, The Master calleth for [...]hee. This will finish our Life upon this Earth, the Voice of CHRIST inviting us to his Kingdom and Glory. Rise up and come away, the Winter is past, the Rain is over and gone. Every Evil will be concluded forever, and we shall [Page 14]enter into Rest: The Winter of Affliction, Temptation and Sin, will no more molest us: The Evils of this World, which fell on us like a continual dropping in a very rainy Day, will descend no more about us. The Rain is over and gone. No more Storms will roar in our Air; nor Clouds intercept our Sunshine. The last Tempest of Death will beat after us but a little Way; and rapid we shall leave it behind. And now, welcome everlasting Delights! Welcome the opening Dawn of Paradise! The Time of the singing of Birds is come. Angels tune their Harps, and join their Voices about us. The Flow [...]rs appear upon the Earth; and the everlasting Hills lift up their flowry Tops before us. Joys unfelt till this blessed Moment, will now seize our beating Hearts, and our Souls will leap out, obedient to the dear Voice that calls us, Rise up, and come away.
These, I think, are natural Heads for Meditation from the Words: But that which I principally intend to allude to, in the Process of this Discourse, is, that when we see the annual Spring open upon the Earth, we have a Call [Page 15]to Rise up to CHRIST in holy Medi [...]ations: To come away from lower Objects to him the highest and most [...]orthy of all. The Be [...]ties which mile around us, at this lovely Season of the Year, unite to lead our Thoughts to CHRIST. And this is the second Point to be spoken to.
II. How is the Invitation of our blessed Saviour to rise up and come away, pecu [...]iarly adapted to the Spring of the Year?
1. The Spring looks like the natural Beginning of the Year: And besure [...]e are to begin our Year with GOD. The Demand and Expectation of the lessed GOD is, for the first-ripe Fruits. And it is reasonable that our [...]rst Care should be to please him, our [...]rst Hours consecrated to him. He [...]emands of us the first Day in every [...]eek, and why should he not for the [...]ost part have the first Hour in every [...]ay; and the first Season in every Year. Seek first the Kingdom of GOD, [...] the Direction of CHRIST. A Year [...]gun with GOD, is a Year well be [...]n, and it will yield a comfortable [Page 16]Reflection all the Year, for us to call to Mind how we have been enabled to spend the first Months of it.
2. The Temptations of the Spring afford another Argument for us to obey the Call of CHRIST, Rise up, and come away. That the Spring is attended with many Circumstances to tempt away our Minds from GOD and Duty, will very easily be rendred plain and evident. Then 'tis that the Face of Nature puts on the most gay and alluring Smiles; and the beautiful Prospects about us are apt to catch away our Thoughts, and possess and fill up our Minds. Then 'tis too, that our animal Spirits are most sprightly and vigorous; and our fermented Blood pours along its rapid Current more warm and impetuous. The Chains of the Winter are melted off: and the Bands of Orion are loosed: And from this Flush of Blood and Spirits, there arises a Variety of Temptations. Our Appetites are most raging and violent and our inferiour Faculties most apt t [...] usurp the Throne of Reason and Conscience. We are now most easily deceived [Page 17]with the tempting Prospects of Futurity; and we presume upon a vain Earth, and Happiness here below, from a Warmth of Temper, and the Disposition of our Blood and animal Spirits. Thus we see the Temptations of the Spring both external and internal. External, from the alluring Face of Nature; Internal, from our own Frame and Constitution. How proper then the Call? Rise up and come away. Does the low Face of the Ground tempt us? Rise up. Get above the Earth. Leave the Molehill for the Emmits to inhabit; but let us take to our selves Wings, as Angels, and fly away. Have we our Temptations in our selves? Come away then; let us get out of our selves into CHRIST; separate our selves from our selves, and mortify and root out the corrupted selfish Principle in us.
And indeed nothing will have a greater Tendency to demonstrate our Sincerity in Religion, than our Resolution to defeat the strongest Temptations which assault us in this World. When Sin spreads all its Snares, and lays all its alluring Bates in our Way, [Page 18]if we have then Power to overcome all, and pass unhurt amidst all, it will be a good Evidence that we are inspired with a Power superiour to our own: That the Holy Spirit is in us; and that we are in good Earnest in Religion. The same Arguments to persuade Youth to serious Piety, are in the same Sense proper to perswade us to Religion in the Spring. Because we may all the Year look back on it with this concomitant Satisfaction, When Temptations were most universal, and most impetuous, I stood the Shock, and was carried graciously thro' them.
And what an Honour will it be for us to overcome Temptations when they are at the strongest; and regulate our Appetites when they are most raging and lawless? So Joseph, fortified with the Grace of GOD, withstood Satan and himself together, joined in the most dangerous League; he broke loose from the Toils of Death, and by a wise Retreat, rushed away, pursued by Victory and Triumph. This is more to the Honour of young Joseph, than a Monument of Brass, and the Trophies of conquered Nations! When [Page 19]the Caesars and the Alexanders, and [...] Conquerors of the East, blush and [...]de, Joseph shall stand applauded by [...] Judge of the World, and saluted by [...]outing Armies of Men and Angels. [...]d it will be an Honour of the same [...]ature, for us to be most firm and re [...]ute, when Temptations are most fre [...]ent and violent. So that if it has been [...]ved, that the Spring of the Year, is Season lying most open to Tempta [...]ns, it plainly follows, that Religion this precarious Season, is attended [...]th additional Honours.
Besides, the Rewards of our future [...]ory, will be proportioned to our [...]bours and Difficulties. We know [...]t he who soweth sparingly shall reap [...]ingly; and they who take the greaPains, shall reap the fullest Harvest. [...]w he who stands his Ground against [...]st Opposition, who beats through [...] thickest Temptations best, shall [...]ive the brightest Crown, and hear [...]loudest Applause. So that if we [...]ld attain the highest Degrees of [...]ry, one Way is to spend that Time [...], which is fullest of Temptations. [...]en it was asserted, that the Spring [Page 20]is the Season fullest of Temptations, a vain Mind would perhaps have drawn another Consequence: Let me then wait for a more convenient Season for the Duties of Religion and Holiness. But it is you see easily retorted. Is the Spring of the Year fullest of Temptations, sure then we have most need of gracious Hearts. This will be attended with the highest Pleasure in the Reflection here; This will be followed with the amplest Rewards of Heaven hereafter. This will prove our Sincerity to us with the fullest Evidence. For, as one speaks, if there is no Enemy, there can be no Fight; if no Fight, no Victory; if no Victory no Crown. And on the contrary, if there be powerful Enemies, there will ensue a sharper Fight, a greater Victory, and a brighter Crown. But to take the Objectors in their own Way —
3. The Advantages of the Spring afford another Argument why we should obey the Call of CHRIST, Rise up and come away. Rise up and come away, for the Winter is past, the Rain is over and gone; many Disadvantages are over and gone: The Time of the singing of [Page 21]Birds is come, and the Flowers appear upon the Earth; many Advantages [...]ome pouring round us, and call, and awaken, excite and quicken us.
If it can be proved that there are [...]eculiar Advantages in the Spring for [...]he Duties and the Delights of Piety, [...]t will follow of Course that we ought [...] make Use of these Advantages, and improve them while they last: For they are all but so many Talents committed to us by the GOD of Nature, which he will call us to a strict Account for, and miserable we, if we can give no good Account of them.
And that the Spring of the Year is indeed attended with such Advantages for the Labours and Delights of Piety, [...]ll be evident upon a very little Refection. Now it is that the Days lengthen apace, and the Light increases over [...]s. The Morning awakes us early; and the Day-spring from on high, the rising Sun, calls us betimes from our Slumbers, Rise up, and come away. Now it is also, that the Weather grows moderate, and we bless the Indulgence of the mild Skies, and the temperate Air. We are not chained up with [Page 22]Cold, or confined by the bleak Winds. We may live more in one Day now, than in many that are numbed with Frost, and chilled by the Rigour of the Winter. Now it is also that our Spirits awaken, and our Blood has a cheerful and lively Flow, so that our Souls are most sprightly, vigorous and active. Our Bosoms kindle with new Delights, and we enjoy the smiling Hours that glide smoothly by us. It is a most happy Season to revive the Joys of Piety, and raise our Satisfactions in the blessed GOD to a renewed Ardor and Vehemence. Add to this, now it is that our Health is at its best Estate, unmolested by the cold Rheums of the Winter, or the faint Heats of the Summer-Noons. Besides, the opening of the Earth by the Plough, and the Odours of the various Blossoms scattered from every glowing Tree around, conspire to call back the declining Health, or establish the sound Constitution. So that we see new Advantages arise in every Light, and are convinced how many Opportunities we have for the Service of GOD, and the Raptures of Devotion, let us look where we will. Whether [Page 23]we consider the lengthened Days, and the many Hours of Light and Business: The moderate Weather, and fine Temperature of the Air and Skies: The Chearfulness of our Spirits, and our confirmed Health; — they all with one Voice agree in the Call, Rise up, and come away. Rise up to GOD; serve him in these golden Seasons, these smiling Moments, which though they dance along so smoothly, wing away so swiftly. Lovely as they are, they will be quickly gone and over. Let them not pass without this additional Delight in the Reflection, that we served GOD in them, and tasted the sub [...]mest Transports of Devotion, while we [...]lled them up in Communion with GOD.
Besides, in the Spring of the Year, we have many Advantages for Medi [...]ion, and are surrounded with Objects for this holy and blessed Employment. Now the Works of GOD shine in our Eyes, with the most finished Beauty, and raise our Thoughts to the infinite Artificer, who has poured out such a Profusion of Charms and Graces [...]n the wide Creation. The Flowers appear upon the Earth, and the Time of [Page 24]the singing of Birds is come, rise up, and come away. To be particular here, I shall offer a Set of Meditations peculiarly adapted to the Spring of the Year, and raised out of the Objects which then smile around us.
First of all, See the Perfections of the glorious GOD. Who gave the Face o [...] Nature these flowery Charms? How beauteous then, and how divine the Being whose scattered Rays so adorn the blooming Earth? The glowing Raptures of divine Love and sacred Meditation may well be lighted up by these wondrous Works which we behold about us. See the Glories of creating Power displayed in the Flourish of the Spring! * And GOD said, Let the Earth bring forth Grass, the Herb yielding Seed, and the Fruit Tree yielding Fruit after his Kind, whose Seed is in it self, upon the Earth. And the Earth brought forth Grass,— and Herbs,— and Trees,— and GOD saw that it was good. And it is his unwearied Providence that still demands our Ascriptions, † Thou renewest the Face of the Earth.
[Page 25] Look abroad in the Spring, and see the Beauty and Beneficence of Divine Providence, and learn to adore and trust GOD. † Therefore I say unto you, take no Thought for your Life, what ye shall eat, nor for your Body, what ye shall put on—Behold the Fowls of the Air—Your Father provides for them—Consider the Lillies of the Field, how they grow; they toil not, nor do they spin, and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his Glory was not arrayed like one of these. Wherefore if GOD so cloath the Grass of the Field, which to Day is, and To-morrow is cast into the Oven, shall he not much more cloath you, O ye of little Faith? How proper such a Trust in GOD, and such a consecrated Meditation, when the Time of singing of Birds is come and the Flowers appear upon the Earth? ‘My GOD feeds the Birds, and adorns the Flowers, shall he not much rather feed and cloath me? Does he not love me better than these?’
Look abroad in the Spring and rise our Thoughts to the Resurrection of the Dead at the last Day. These [Page 26]Fields were once covered with Snow like the Pale of Death. These Trees were disrobed of their flowry Honours, and appeared bare and naked. The Roses droped away, and the Lillies hung down their Heads and died, but see how the Year revives again, and blossoms, and brightens, and lives. † And when ye see this, your Heart shall rejoice, and your Bones shall flourish like an Herb. Just as these Groves revive, and as this Grass renews its Green, so shall our scattered Bones flourish from their prolifick Graves. When CHRIST the Judge shall descend from Heaven, our dead Bodies shall hear his Call, Rise up, and come away, for lo, the Winter is past, the Rain is over and gone, the Flowers appear on the Earth, the Time of the singing of Birds is come.‖He shall come down like Rain upon the mown Grass: as Showers that water the Earth. In his Days shall the Righteous flourish—They that dwell in the Wilderness — the burying Place— the wild and solitary Retreats [Page 27]of Death and the Grave, — shall how before him. † In what a living Representation do we see the Resurrection of the Dead, exemplified in the Resurrection of the Year. † They of the City, shall flourish like the Grass of the Earth. Who can count it a Thing incredible that GOD should raise the Dead, who sees him so renew the flowery Fields, and the blooming Trees! Cannot he as easily make our Graves, as our Gardens to blossom? The Wilderness and the solitary Place shall be glad for them, and the Desert shall rejoice, and blossom as a Rose. It shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with singing; the Glory of Lebanon shall be given to it, the Excellency of Carmel and Sharon: They shall see the Glory of the LORD, and the Excellency of our GOD. ‖
Again, See the fair Scenes about you, and lead your Meditations to the final Judgment of the World. ‡Let the Heavens rejoice, and let the Earth be glad: let the Sea roar, and the Fulness [Page 28]thereof. Let the Field be joyful, and all that is therein: then shall all the Trees of the Wood rejoyce. Before the LORD; for he cometh, for he cometh to judge the Earth: he shall judge the World with Righteousness, and the People with his Truth. And indeed, well may the Earth, and Fields, and Woods rejoyce, which are to be renewed, and bloom in a perpetual Spring. All the Creatures Groan, for this Restitution of all Things. * Nevertheless, we according to his Promise, look for new Heavens and a new Earth, wherein dwelleth Righteousness.
See the Flowers appear upon the Earth in the Spring, and rise up to Meditations on the swift Progress of the Gospel through the World. The Sun of Righteousness so arose with healing in his Wings; and the Church of GOD sprouted and sprung up, and flourished at the reviving Heat. So was the Prophesy of the mystical Israel, ‖ ‖ Israel shall blossom and bud, and fill the Face of the World with Fruit. So the typical [Page 29]Rod of Aaron, budded, and brought forth Buds, and bloomed Blossoms, and yielded Almonds †. So the Sower goes out in the Spring, to sow; and O what a large Harvest covers the Fields around him. This World lay in the Cold and Darkness of a long Winter-Night, till the Gospel, like the Dayspring from on high, visited the Nations, and a sudden Spring covered the Face of the Ground. * Thus saith the LORD GOD, I will also take of the highest Branch of the high Cedar, and will set it, I will crop off from the top of his young Twigs a tender one, and will plant it upon an high Mountain and eminent. In the Mountain of the height of Israel will I plant it: and it shall bring forth Boughs, and bear Fruit, and be a goodly Cedar: and under it shall dwell all Fowl of every Wing: in the Shadow of the Branches thereof shall they dwell. And all the Trees of the Field shall know that I the LORD have brought down the high Tree, have exalted the low Tree, have dried up the green Tree, and have made the dry Tree to [Page 30]flourish: I the LORD have spoken a have done it. The GOD of He ven called to the Nations that lay Ignorance and Wickedness, Rise up, a come away, and at once the Sha [...] scattered, and the Darkness fled away and the Nations of them who are say walked in open Light.
See the gay Appearance of the Sprin and learn the Destruction of the wicked. T. beautiful annual Flourish which now charmingly guilds the Fields, shall quickly fade away, and die. So the last Spri [...] was scorched by the Summer-Sun, a [...] frozen by the Winter-Cold. And [...] we not here behold the lively Emble of a wicked Man, and the sudden, a [...] the dreadful Change which must pa [...] upon him. * When the Wicked spir [...] as the Grass, and when all the Worke of Iniquity do flourish, it is that they sh [...] be destroyed for ever. So Nebucha [...] [...]zzar stood † flourishing in his Pala and at once fell down deprived of h [...] mane Reason, and howled like a wi [...] Beast, through the blasted Defar How often does it happen that the in [...] pious [Page 31]Youth is cut off at once, like a sudden Frost, withering the whole Spring in its Infant-Bud? ‖ It shall be accomplished before its Time, and [...] Branch shall not be green. He shall shake off his unripe Grape as the Vine; and shall cast off his Flower as the Olive. What though the wicked Man glitters in all his gaudy Pride, and has every Beauty smiling round him; what though his silken Apparel be gay like the Spring; and like the flowery Crown on every waving Tree, yet is Destruction from GOD nigh to the unhappy Criminal. * Wo to the Crown of Pride, — whose glorious Beauty is a fading Flower, on the Head of the fat Vallies. This is the great Woe of an almighty GOD, denounced against the most pompous Sons of Earth; and as it is denounced it shall come on. ‖ Behold the Day, behold it is come, the Morning is gone forth, the Rod hath blossomed, Pride hath budded; Violence hath risen up into a Rod of Wickedness: None of them shall remain, — the Time is come, the Day draweth near, let not the Buyer rejoice, nor the Seller mourn; [Page 32]for Wrath is upon all the Multitude thereof. Let the Wicked then look fresh as the green Herb, and chearful as the opening Spring, yet, rise up, and come away our Thoughts from his present Glory to his future Ruins. The Epitaph on the most flourishing wicked Men, will be that, ‡ They were as the Grass of the Field, and as the green Herb, as the Grass on the House Tops, and as Corn blasted before it be grown up.
Look abroad upon the opening Spring and behold a beautiful Emblem of humane Life. For all Flesh is Grass, and the Glory of Man as the Flower of Grass, the Grass withereth, and th [...] Flower fadeth away. * See the glowing Blossoms, how soon they drop to the Ground; and what are we ourselves better than they? ‖ He comet [...] forth as a Flower, and is cut down. I [...] the Spring we see the verdent Grass and the blushing Flowers; but to fad [...] and die is common to both, and equal [...] ly to us with them. † As for Ma [...] [Page 33]his Days are as Grass, as a Flower of the Field so he flourisheth; for the Wind passeth over it and it is gone, and the Place thereof shall know it no more. Nay, should we escape Death in our Youth, and out live the Spring of our Time, yet Old-Age will come on, when our hoary Heads shall be covered like the Groves with white Blossoms. So is the beautiful and accurate Description of Old-Age by Solomon,‡The Almond Tree shall flourish. And in a little Time must the Silver Crown be thrown at the Feet of Death, and the Blossom go up as Dust. † Here then is the Life of Man exactly; no more than a fading Spring. ‖ In the Morning they are like Grass that groweth up. In the Morning it flourisheth and groweth up, in the Evening it is cut down and withereth. When the Winter is past then, and the Flowers appear, and the Birds sing, do we not hear the Voice of CHRIST to us? A Voice that calls us to rise up? * The Voice said, Cry, [Page 34]and he said, What shall I cry? All Flesh is Grass, and all the Goodliness thereof as the Flower of the Field. The Grass withereth, and the Flower fadeth. Surely the People is Grass.
The Winter is [...]ast, the Flowers appear, the Time of the singing of Birds is come. Rise up, and come away. Consider the blessed and happy Condition of the holy; they are under the mild Influence of a perpetual Spring; and Paradise it self breathes in their transported Breasts. ‡ The Righteous shall flourish like the Palm Tree, he shall grow like the Cedar in Lebanon. Those that be planted in the House of the LORD, shall flourish in the Courts of our GOD. They shall still bring forth Fruit in Old-Age: They shall be fat and flourishing. The good Man himself shall be chearful and prosperous as the youthful Spring. ‖ The Righteous shall flourish as a Branch. And even the House of the good Man shall be blessed, even his Children shall shoot up as Olive-Plants about his Table.
[Page 35] † The Tabernacle of the Upright shall flourish. O happy Man, thrice, yea, four Times happy; — Blessed art thou, and blessed are thy Children, and thy Servants. * Thy Tabernacle shall be in Peace. — Thy Seed shall be great, and thy Off-spring as the Grass of the Earth. Thou shalt come to thy Grave as a Shock of Corn in its Season. This is the Man beloved by his GOD, the Darling of Heaven, and fair and beauteous as an immortal Spring. He shall grow as the Lilly, and cast forth his Roots as Lebanon; his Branches shall spread, and his Beauty shall be as the Olive-Tree, and his Smell as Lebanon. And the descending Dews of Heaven, shall still refresh and cherish him. ‡ He shall revive as the Corn, and blossom as the Vine. This is your Portion, ye holy People, and shall we not rise up from the lower Spring, and rejoice in our GOD, who gives us to vie with it, and assert our superiour Beauty. ‖ Although the Fig-Tree shall not blossom, [Page 36]neither shall Fruit be on the Vines, th [...] Labour of the Olive shall fail, and th [...] Field shall yield no Meat, yet will I r [...] joice in the LORD, I will joy in th [...] GOD of my Salvation. This GOD may the good Man say, will showe his Blessings round me with a layis [...] Hand, and though the Year die in th [...] Spring, I shall be satissied with goo [...] Things. † He maketh me lie down i [...] green Pastures, he leadeth me beside th [...] still Waters. ‡ See! the Smell of my So is as the Smell of a Field which th [...] LORD hath blessed. GOD shall gi [...] thee the Dew of Heaven, and the Fa [...] ness of the Earth, and plenty of Cor [...] and Wine.
Again, See the Spring; and what proper Meditation rises out of it, o [...] the Sufferings of our LORD JESUS The Flowers appear on the Earth Rise up and come away: Contempla [...] the Bitterness and Sorrows of the bleeding JESUS, in the Garden of his Ag [...] ny. We behold the charming Aspe [...] of Nature all about us; and are ra [...] [Page 37]vished with the Beauty of Prospect from the green Grass, and the Rosey and the Silver Blossoms: He had something else to do, when he lay weeping on the Ground, and cried, My Days are like a Shadow that declineth: and I am withered like Grass ‖. So the Lilly of the Valley lay, hung down his Head, drooped and languished. He bowed his Head, and gave up the Ghost. Blessed SAVIOUR! Is not this the Call we hear from thee, in the Spring, To rise up and consider, If these Things be done to the green Tree, what shall be done to the dry? Adam sinned in a Garden, and for this our LORD suffered in a Garden.
Look on the amiable Landskip, and remember the Eden we have lost. The Timeof the singing of Birds is past; and of flowry Fields. The very Ground is under the Curse. Thorns also and Thistles shall it bring forth unto thee.
To conclude, The Winter is past, the Rain is over and gone; the Time of [Page 38]the singing of Birds is come, and the Flowers smile over the Gronnd: Rise up, and come away: Lift up your Eyes to the Joys prepared for good Men after Death. The Glories and Delights of Paradise, how sublime and magnificent are they, when even this lower World can look so beauteous from the Flowers of the Spring! This Earth, polluted by Sin, and devoured by the Curse of GOD, does yet retain so much of its Ornament and gay Aspect. But, O the ravishing Glories of the Place where no Curse lays waste, no Sin defiles! The Paradise of holy Souls; the Mansion of blessed Angels; the imperial Seat and Residence of GOD! In our low Spring of Earth, all our Senses are agreeably entertained with a Variety of Delights and Satisfactions. The Winter is past, and as the Cold decays, a moderate Warmth diffuses thro' the Air, we feel it, and are refreshed by it. The Time of the singing of Birds is come, and our Ears are regaled by all the Harmony of the Groves and Forests. The idle Musicians of the Spring f [...]ll the Fields and the Skies with their artless Melody. A thousand Odours are [Page 39]thrown from every Bough; and scatter through the Air, to gratify our Smell. The Flowers appear on the Earth; and the opening Buds, and the rising Grass dress the rich Landscape, and paint the Scene to delight and charm our Eyes. These are the Pleasures of an earthly Spring: But, O the Joys of the upper Paradise! There the Eyes are delighted with Sunshine ever bright, and Fields ever fair, and never sading. The Angels, and not the Birds, sing; and nothing addresses the Ear but Hallelujahs and Anthems to GOD: The Fruits of the Tree of Life satisfy the Taste; and Rivers of Pleasures and the Breath of GOD, banish Thirst, and cool the deathless Region. From the Things that we see then all below us, Rise up, and come away, to the future State of eternal Rewards, reserved in Heaven for us. — Arise, let us go hence.
And now what remains but the Exhortation and the Motives in my Text. Rise up, and come away, for the Winter is past, the Rain is over, and gone, the Flowers appear on the Earth, the Time of the singing of Birds is come. Lo, [Page 40]the Season of the Year, and every fragrant Breeze of Air, conspire to awaken us to Thoughts on GOD, and to quicken our Love to him, and trust in him. Universal Nature about us with one Voice, sings Hallelujah aloud. Glory to GOD in the Highest, is resounded by every tuneful Bird, every warbling Brook, and bubling Fountain. Incense to the GOD of Heaven is offered by every opening Lilly, and glowing Blossom, which perfume the Air with their ambient Sweets. The wide Earth we tread on seem: but one great Altar, covered with Incense and Offerings to GOD its Maker. And shall not we also offer ourselves upon it? Rise up, and come away. It belongs to us, as the Priest of GOD below, to express the Praise of the subordinate Creatures in articulate Sounds, and utter their silen Voice in intelligible Language. Fo [...] all thy Works praise thee, O LORD and thy Saints bless thee.
But the Application may more particularly be directed to young People who exult under the Indulgence of double Spring. To you, my Brethren [Page 41]turn my Address; and suffer, I pray [...]ou, the Word of Exhortation. Will [...]ou as waste these golden Moments, [...]hat glitter in the Spring of Life, which [...]nce fled away, can never return more? Rise up, and come away; leave the low [...]r Objects that allure and tempt you. Give your selves up to GOD. Seek [...]st the Kingdom of GOD and his Righ [...]onsness, and all other Things shall be [...]dded unto you. Rise up, for lo, the [...]inter [—is past shall I say? Nay] it [...] coming on, and the evil Days of Rain [...]nd Tempest are hastening over you. Remember now thy Creator in the Days [...] thy Youth, before the evil Days come, [...] the Years draw nigh, when thou [...]alt say I have no Pleasure in them. Rise up, out of the Way of these de [...]ending Evils, by a Flight to the dear [...]AVIOUR, who invites you with his [...]racious Voice, and opens his tender Arms to receive you. My Brethren, Your Life will decay, like the fading [...]pring, O let it not before your eter [...]al Well-being is secured, and a sure [...]oundation for happy Reflection laid [...] these pleasant Hours.
[Page 42] Thus have I taken you with me to meditate in the Fields. We have been surveying the beautiful Scenes of the Spring: And shall we have no good Effect of the soft Prospects? Shall not a rival Glory open and dawn in our ravished Hearts, while all the Fields flourish about us? O for a Spring now! and that even while I am speaking, every consenting Breast may feel new Delights in GOD kindle with a sudden Flame, and glow with immortal Ardor! That is the Design as of all the Messages from the Pulpit, so particularly of this Discourse on the springing Year. I would call your Souls in to flourish like the Earth about you. * My Doctrine shall drop as the Rain, my Speech shall distill as the Dew; as the small Rain upon the tender Herb; and as the Showers upon the Grass. Away! thou North-wind, and come thou South, blow upon my Garden, that the Spices thereof may flow out.
[Page 43] Those of us who have recovered from the Sick-Bed, methinks, may hear the loud Call, Rise up, — Arise, and walk! Taste the renewed Bounties of Heaven with redoubled Pleasure, while we redouble our Labours for GOD, and his Kingdom. But, ah! Let us not think the Danger is all past, and the Rain is over and gone; for the Clouds return after the Rain; Death shall quickly shut the pleasing Scene, and the Days of Darkness shall be many. Do therefore with thy Might, what thy Hand findeth to do. If all the Care of Heaven to manure and cultivate you be lost, the Voice quickly will be that, No Fruit be found on thee for ever! Cu [...] it down!—Ah! rejected and nigh unto Cursing, thy End is to be burned.
And indeed, The Address of Heaven is proper for us all: For we are all in the Spring of our Being, while we are in this Life. Eternity is like an endless Year, of which this Life is like the budding Spring. And, as the Spring is, the Year will be more or less fruitful and blessed. If in this Life we disobey GOD; the Spring of this Life [Page 44]will end in the Heat of a withered Summer, the Flames of eternal Fire. If, on the contrary, we serve GOD from a Principle of Faith in CHRIST, our Spring will end in a blessed Harvest: And we shall enter upon the Feast of the Fruits that adorn Paradise. Death it self will but convey us to the Regions of immortal Life: And our LORD JESUS CHRIST the good Shepherd, will lead us through the dark Valley, to the green Pastures, and the still Waters. There the Groves ever blossom, the Flowers ever flourish, and the Fields are ever green. There JESUS himself blooms in unveiled Charms, and invites us to him, with his dear Voice. We may lie upon the Bed of Death, and see the endless Glories shine behind the Glooms, and guild and break away the awful Shadows. We may see our dear SAVIOUR at a Distance, encouraging our defired Flight. We may hear his Voice sound charming through the dark Length of the Vale of Death; Rise up, and come away! And the last Words we utter, when we leave the Flourish of the lower Spring [Page 45]may be like that, * It is the Voice of m [...] Beloved: He flourisheth through th [...] Windows, shewing himself through th [...] Lattess. Then shall be compleatly fulfilled to you, that blessed Promise, † For as the Rain cometh down, and the Snow from Heaven, and returneth not thithor, but watereth the Earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give Seed to the Sower, and Bread to the Eater: So shall my Word be that goeth forth out of my Mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the Thing whereto I sent it. For ye shall go out with Joy, and be led forth with Peace: the Mountains and the Hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the Trees of the Field shall clap their Hands. Instead of the Thorn shall come up the Fir-tree, and instead of the Brier shall come up the Myrtle-Tree: and it shall be to the LORD for a Name, for an everlasting Sign, that shall not be cut off.‖— In [Page 46]the Wilderness shall Waters break out, and Streams in the Desert. And the parched Ground shall become a Pool, and the thirsty Land Springs of Water: In the habitation of Dragons, where each lay, shall be Grass with Reeds and Rushes. — No Lion shall be there, nor any ravenous Beast shall go up thereon, it shall not be found there: but the redeemed shall walk there. And the ransomed of the LORD shall return and come to Zion with Songs, and everlasting Joy upon their Heads: they shall obtain Joy and Gladness, and Sorrow and Sighing shall flee away.