“[3dly.] Usefulness. A man without
holiness is good for nothing. ‘Ephraim,’ says the prophet, ‘is an empty
vine, that brings forth fruit to itself.’ And what is such a vine good
for? Nothing. Saith another prophet, ‘A man cannot make so much as a pin
of it, to hang a vessel on.’ A barren tree is good for nothing, but to be
cut down for the fire. Notwithstanding the seeming usefulness of men who
serve the providence of God in their generations, I could easily manifest
that the world and the church might want them, and that, indeed, in
themselves they are good for nothing. Only the holy man is commune bonum.