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 destinavit: as if the Lord would ⟨p. 6⟩double and repeat his thoughts, before he decreed it to irrevocable ruin. A divine president of moderation! If he that cannot transgress in his wrath, nor exceed in his Justice, will yet Consulere amicum, advise with his friend: how ought frail man to suspend his furious purposes to mature deliberation? It is too common with us, to attempt dangerous and desperate actions, without further counsel then our own green thoughts. So Anger is made a Solicitor, Passion a Judge, and Rashness an Executioner. The wise man first considers, then speaks or does: the mad man first speaks or does, and then considers. Which drives him on necessity to play the after-game; with shame and sorrow to recover his former estate, or give it lost for ever. O holy deliberation, whither art thou fled? Davids Harp did cast the evil spirit out, this would keep him from ever coming in. It is a Porter at the Gate of Gods spiritual Temple, Man; that would be as sure to keep out his enemies, as David would have bin ready to let in his friends. How many desperate precipices of sin would be prevented, were this Rule remembered; Consul Cultorem? For matter of estate, we are counselled by the Lawyer: for health of body, advised by the Physician: we trust the Pilot to steer our course by Sea, the Survey or to mete out our Land: but for the soul let it be ⟨p. 7⟩as barren as this Fig-tree, we take no counsel of the Gardiner. Do worldlings consult the Preacher, concerning their usurious trade before they undertake it? Do Gallants advise with him, before they meet in Aceldama, the field of blood? O that they would admit an answer from such a friend, before they give an answer to such an enemy.

Dixit, non destinauit: as if the Lord would ⟨p. 6⟩double and repeat his thoughts, before hee decreed it to irreuocable ruine. A diuine president of moderation! If he that cannot transgresse in his wrath, nor exceed in his Iustice, will yet Consulere amicum, aduise with his friend: how ought fraile man to suspend his furious purposes to mature deliberation? It is too common with vs, to attempt dangerous and desperate actions, without further counsell then our owne greene thoughts. So Anger is made a Solicitor, Passion a Iudge, and Rashnesse an Executioner. The wise man first considers, then speakes or does: the mad man first speakes or does, and then considers. Which driues him on necessitie to play the after-game; with shame and sorrow to recouer his former estate, or giue it lost for euer. O holy deliberation, whither art thou fled? Dauids Harpe did cast the euill spirit out, this would keepe him from euer comming in. It is a Porter at the Gate of Gods spirituall Temple, Man; that would be as sure to keepe out his enemies, as Dauid would haue bin ready to let in his friends. How many desperate precipices of sin would be preuented, were this Rule remembred; Consule Cultorem? For matter of estate, we are counselled by the Lawyer: for health of body, aduised by the Physician: we trust the Pilot to steere our course by Sea, the Suruey or to mete out our Land: but for the soule let it be