Hebreus 6:7,8

DISCOURSE: 2291
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN FRUITFUL AND BARREN PROFESSORS

Hebreus 6:7. The earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God: but that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned.

COMPARISONS, when just, have the double effect of illustrating, and of confirming, any truth, which they set before us. They have not indeed the force of demonstration, when considered as arguments: but they are peculiarly calculated to impress the mind; and, in that view, have often a stronger effect than the clearest statements, or most logical deductions. Of this kind is the comparison in the text, which is adduced to illustrate the guilt and danger of apostasy. It exhibits figuratively, in a way of contrast,

I. The benefit of ordinances when duly improved—

What is that improvement which God expects us to make of divine ordinances?
[Every one knows what benefit the cultivator of any land expects from showers which water the earth; he expects, whether in his field or garden, an increased production of those fruits which he has been labouring to obtain. And what does the great Husbandman labour to produce in the enclosures of his Church? Surely he looks for augmented penitence and contrition as of primary and indispensable importance — — — He desires that every child of man be brought to a more simple affiance in his dear Son, and to a more unreserved devotedness of heart and life to his service — — — He desires an increased mortification of all sin, and a progressive fruitfulness in all the fruits of righteousness, and a more perfect transformation into the Divine image — — —]
Where his ordinances are made subservient to this end, he will bestow the richest blessings—
[There is a peace which passeth all understanding, which God will confer in rich abundance — — — He will shed abroad his love in the heart of him who thus profitably waits upon him, and will give him such testimonies of his adoption into God’s family, as shall dissipate all doubt or fear either of his present acceptance with God, or of his future fruition of the heavenly glory; yea, such testimonies as shall be a foretaste of that glory, a very beginning of heaven in his soul. In fact, whatever the devoutest worshipper in the universe can wish for, it shall be given him in answer to his prayer [Note: João 15:7.]

But it is not to all that divine ordinances are thus blessed, as we shall see from,

II.

The sad result of them when habitually misimproved—

As in barren lands, so in the Church of God, the showers descend on many in vain—
[How many are there who, after years of culture under the richest ordinances, remain as earthly in their minds, as sensual in their habits, and as devilish in their tempers, as the very heathen, who have never once had the means of grace vouchsafed unto them — — — Their hearts are yet sealed up in impenitence and unbelief, as much as if they had never heard of the Saviour’s love, or received the offers of a free salvation — — —]
And what can these expect, but the curse of God upon them?
[A man will not always cultivate a field that requites all his labours with nothing but “thorns and briers:” neither will God always bestow his care on those who hold fast their iniquities, and continue unchanged under all the efforts that are made for their salvation. He has told us that “his Spirit shall not alway strive with man [Note: Gênesis 6:5.],” and that, “if his word be not a savour of life to the life of any soul, it shall become a savour of death to his death and condemnation [Note: 2 Coríntios 2:16.].” To this effect God warned his Church of old [Note: Isaías 5:4.] — — — And our blessed Lord has told us that a similar misimprovement of his Gospel will render our state worse than that of Sodom and Gomorrha [Note: Mateus 10:15.] — — —]

See then, brethren,
1.

What matter here is for diligent inquiry—

[You see, and all around you see, the effects produced on the earth by fertilizing showers [Note: Isaías 55:10.]: and should not similar effects be found on you? See then whether you have, both in your heart and life, an evidence of the change which the Gospel produces on all who receive it aright, and to whom it comes with power? I must warn you of your responsibility to God for all the means of grace. You do not depart from the house of God the same persons that you were when you came into it. If you are not softened by the word of God, you are hardened by it: and if you are not brought nearer to God by it for the remission of your sins, you are driven farther from him, to your everlasting confusion [Note: Tiago 1:23.] — — —]

2. What reason here is for watchfulness and care—

[When you come to the house of God, remember that you come into the more immediate presence of the Deity; and that every word you hear, wings its way to heaven to record the manner in which it was heard. Pray therefore to God before you go thither, and whilst you are there under the ministry of the word, and when you depart thence, that the word preached may be accompanied with a divine energy, and prove “the power of God to the salvation of your souls.” And, if at any time a favourable impression be made upon you, beware that you do not lose it. It is in that particular view that the Apostle suggests the comparison in my text: and I wish very particularly to put you on your guard, that you do not convert the blessing of God into a curse, and render the very means which he has bestowed for the salvation of your souls, into an occasion of deeper and heaver condemnation.]