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

Or to apply it to our selves, these three years of our visitation, hath been so many scores of years. Conceive the foremost to be in the days of King Edward 6. who purged the gold from the rust and dross of Superstition, Ignorance, and Cozenage, which it had contracted. The Sun began to shine out in his bright lustre: the Lord came seeking our fruits; but not finding them answerable to his expectation, nor worthy of the glorious Gospel: he drew another cloud over our Sun: teaching us better to value that heavenly Manna, wherewith ⟨p. 18⟩we were so suddenly grown wanton. The second year, under Queen Elizabeth, of so blessed memory: that Royal nurse, upon whose Bosom the Church of God leaned to take her rest. She did again vindicate this Vineyard, which had so long lien among Friars and Monks, that it had all-most quite forgotten the language of Canaan: She taught it a new to speak the Dialect of the Holy Ghost. When that Gracious Queen was taken from a Crown of gold to a Diadem of glory, then began our third year; wherein our present Sovereign was sent; Dignissimus Regno, si non natus ad Regnum: under whom we know not, whether our Truth or Peace be more. Only let us bless him, and bless God for him, that we may all be blessed in him. Thus far we may say of our Land, as Syluius did of Rhodes; Semper in Sole sita est: the bright reflection of the Gospel compasseth us round about. Now he comes this third year seeking our fruits: which when we consider, we can say no more but Miserere Deus; Lord bee merciful to us: for never were such blessings requited with such unthankfulness. We condemn the Jews for abusing Christs patience: God grant they rise not up at the last day to condemn us.

Or to apply it to our selues, these three yeares of our visitation, hath beene so many scores of yeares. Conceiue the formost to be in the dayes of King Edward 6. who purged the gold from the rust and drosse of Superstition, Ignorance, and Cussenage, which it had contracted. The Sunne beganne to shine out in his bright lustre: the Lord came seeking our fruits; but not finding them answerable to his expectation, nor worthy of the glorious Gospell: hee drewe another cloud ouer our Sunne: teaching vs better to value that heauenly Manna, wherewith ⟨p. 18⟩we were so suddenly growne wanton. The second yeare, vnder Queene Elizabeth, of so blessed memory: that Royall nurse, vpon whose Bosome the Church of God leaned to take her rest. Shee did againe vindicate this Vineyard, which had so long lyen among Fryars and Monkes, that it had all-most quite forgotten the language of Canaan: Shee taught it a new to speake the Dialect of the Holy Ghost. When that Gracious Queene was taken from a Crowne of gold to a Diadem of glory, then began our third yeare; wherein our present Soueraigne was sent; Dignissimus Regno, si non natus ad Regnum: vnder whom we know not, whether our Truth or Peace bee more. Onely let vs blesse him, and blesse God for him, that we may all be blessed in him. Thus farre we may say of our Land, as Syluius did of Rhodes; Semper in Sole sita est: the bright reflection of the Gospell compasseth vs round about. Now he comes this third yeare seeking our fruites: which when we consider, wee can say no more but Miserere Deus; Lord bee mercifull to vs: for neuer were such blessings requited with such vnthankefulnesse. We condemne the Iewes for abusing Christs patience: God grant they rise not vp at the last day to condemne vs.