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

These three years: Much time hath been spent about the Interpretation of this time; how it is appliable to the Jewish Synagogue, to whom it was immediately referred. I find no great difference among Expositors, saving only in their terms. Some by the first year understand the time before the Captivity; by the second, their return to Jury; by the last, the coming of Christ. Some by the first year, conceive the Law given by Moses: By the second, the Prophetical attestations: by the third, the grace of our Lord Jesus. Some resolve it thus; the first year was the time of Circumcision, from Abraham to Moses: the next, the Levitical Law from Moses to Christ: the last is the year of Salvation by the Messiah. Others understand the first year to be of the Patriarchs, the middle year of the Judges, the third of the Kings. After all this he was entreated to forbear it a fourth year, till it was instructed by the Apostles: and then being found fruitless, it was cut down by the Romans. But I rather take a definite number to be put for an indefinite: three years is time long enough to wait for the proof of a tree: such a proportionable expectation had the Lord ⟨p. 17⟩for that Church. If literally you would have it, I take this to be the probablest exposition. These three years were the very three years of his Preaching, healing diseases, casting out Devils, working Miracles before their faces. The other year which he added, was the time while the Apostles offered them the Gospel of salvation. Whereof the refusers were cut down, the accepters were saved.

These three yeares: Much time hath beene spent about the Interpretation of this time; how it is appliable to the Iewish Synagogue, to whom it was immediatly referred. I find no great difference among Expositors, sauing onely in their tearmes. Some by the first yeare vnderstand the time before the Captiuitie; by the second, their returne to Iury; by the last, the comming of Christ. Some by the first yeare, conceiue the Lawe giuen by Moses: By the second, the Propheticall attestations: by the third, the grace of our Lord Iesus. Some resolue it thus; the first yeare was the time of Circumcision, from Abraham to Moses: the next, the Leuitical Law from Moses to Christ: the last is the yeare of Saluation by the Messias. Others vnderstand the first yeare to bee of the Patriarchs, the middle yeare of the Iudges, the third of the Kings. After all this hee was intreated to forbeare it a fourth yeare, till it was instructed by the Apostles: and then being found fruitlesse, it was cut downe by the Romanes. But I rather take a definite number to be put for an indefinite: three yeares is time long enough to wait for the proofe of a tree: such a proportionable expectation had the Lord