The barren tree a sermon preached at Pauls cross October 26. 1623 /The barren tree a sermon preached at Pauls crosse October 26. 1623 /

Dixit, non percussit: hee spake, he stroke not: he might have spared words, and begun ⟨p. 5⟩with wounds. The Tree had rather deserved the Axe and Fire, then a Consultation of recovery. How easily would man have rejected his hopeless brother? as when a piece of clay will not work to his mind, the Potter throws it away: or we cast foul rags to the dung-hill, little thinking that they may become white paper. But with God, Verba antecedunt verbera; he will be heard before he be felt. Our first Parents, when they had sinned, Vocem andiverunt, Heard the voice of God: ¹He reasoned with them, before he condemned them. If the fathers word can correct the child, he will let the rod alone. Wicked men use the sudden Arguments of steel and iron; as Joah discoursed with Amasa, in the fifth rib, ²they speak Daggers points. So Zedekiah disputed with the Prophet, a word and a blow; yea, a blow without a word: he struck him first, and spoke to him afterwards. God deals otherwise; Behold, I stand at the door, ³and knock: he knocks at the door, does not presently break it open. He gives us warning of his Judgements, that gave him no warning of our sins. Why doeth he thus? That we might see our miserable estate, and fall to timely deprecation: that so punishing our selves, we might save him a labour.

Dixit, non percussit: hee spake, hee stroke not: hee might haue spared words, and begunne ⟨p. 5⟩with wounds. The Tree had rather deserued the Axe and Fire, then a Consultation of recouery. How easily would man haue reiected his hopelesse brother? as when a piece of clay will not worke to his minde, the Potter throwes it away: or wee cast fouie ragges to the dung-hill, little thinking that they may become white paper. But with God, Verba antecedunt verbera; hee will bee heard before hee bee felt. Our first Parents, when they had sinned, Vocem andiuerunt, Heard the voyce of God: ¹