Some means to fruitfulness

(Thomas Watson, "The Trees of Righteousness
Blossoming and Bringing Forth Fruit")

"This is to My Father's glory, that you bear much fruit,
 showing yourselves to be My disciples." John 15:8

I shall here lay down some means to fruitfulness.

If you would be fruitful, remove those things which
will hinder fruitfulness, such as cherishing any secret
lust in the heart. Sin indulged--is like vermin to the
tree, which destroys the fruit. Grace cannot thrive in
a sinful heart. Avoid the love of riches. The cares of
the world choked the seed, in Matthew 13. The love
of sin poisons the fruit; the love of riches chokes it.

Another means to fruitfulness is weeping for sin.
Moisture helps growth in trees; holy tears water
the trees of God and make them more fruitful.
Mary Magdalene, a weeping plant--how fruitful
was she in love to Christ! Moist grounds are most
fertile; the soul that is moistened and steeped in
tears--is most fruitful. Never did David's graces
flourish more, than when he watered his couch
with tears.

Another means to fruitfulness is humility. The low
grounds are most fruitful. "The valleys are covered
with grain." (Psalm 65:13). The humble heart is the
fruitful heart. The largest and sweetest fruits of the
Spirit, grow in a humble Christian. 1 Peter 5:5: "God
gives grace to the humble." Paul called himself the
least of saints—yet he was the chief of the apostles.