The Means of Grace Compared to the Summer

    THE MEANS OF GRACE COMPARED TO THE SUMMER

    "The Summer is ended," &c., Jer 8:20.

    By Summer is doubtless meant that time that God allows men to gather in, and lay up spiritual good for their precious souls. The time of Gospel light, or Means of Grace, is compared to the Summer.

    PARALLELS.

    I. The Summer is the chief time of the year, that season which generally all men prize, long for, and rejoice in: so the time of Gospel, Grace, and Gospel light, is the chiefest and choicest season in the world. The time of the Gospel, the dispensation of the Gospel, was the time which the prophets, and many good and righteous men of old longed for, and which all sincere, godly persons do prize, and rejoice in.

    II. Summer is the season that ripens the fruits of the earth; were it not for the heat and influence of Summer, what would become of the husbandman's labour? So the means of Grace, or ministration of the Gospel, ripens the good seed which is sown in the godly man's heart, nay, it maketh all fit and ready for the harvest, and for cutting down. It hath the same effects upon men's hearts, that the sun hath in the hottest time of Summer, Upon that which it sends forth its influence.

    III. The Summer is the poor man's working time, it is the season in which he is to provide himself for winter with such things lie wants. The day of Gospel Grace is the saint's Summer, it is the time in which he works hard, gathers in, and lays up for his inimortal soul : he learns of "the ant, who provides her meat in Summer," &c., Pr 30:25.

    IV. In Summer every thing looks green: the herbs, grass, plants, trees, and all the

    fruits of the earth, are in their beauty, and greatest glory: so in the day of Gospel Grace whilst God affords means of much light and knowledge, when seasons, sabbaths, sermons, and ordinances, in a plentiful manner, do abound amongst us, how do the saints flourish, their Grace flourish! O what beauty and greenness is there upon all sincere Christians!

    V. He that is slothful and idle in Summer, as he brings shame upon himself, it is a

    sign of folly, so he suffers, wants bread, and is exposed to great straits in winter,

    "He that gathereth in summer, is a wise son; but he that sleepeth in harvest, is a son that causeth shame," Pr 10:5. So he that is idle and negligent in the time of Gospel Grace, or improves not the Means God affords, for the good of his soul, as it is a reproach and shame to him, so exposeth himself to ruin thereby. What will he do when death and judgment come? then he will want, and suffer hunger, &c.