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

He comes to a particular man three years. 1. In Youth. I have planted thee in my ⟨p. 19⟩Vineyard, given thee the influence of my mercies; where is thy fruitfulness? Alas, the young man sends him away, with a Nondum tempus ficorum: it is too early for me to fall to Mortification; would you put me to penance, before I have had the leisure and pleasure to offend? He is ready to send Christ away in the Language of that foul Spirit; ¹Art thou come to torment me before my time? But whose charge is it to Remember thy Creator, Diebus Junentutis? Then the conquest is most glorious, because then it is most difficult. You say, It is never too late; but I am sure, It is never too soon, to be gracious and holy. The Devil is a false Sexton, and sets back the clock of Time in prosperity: in the day of trouble, he will make it run fast enough. 2. In middle age; and now the buying of Farms, and trying of Beasts; the pleasures of Matrimony, the cares for posterity. take up all the rooms of the soul. Men rather busy themselves to gather the fruits of earth, then to yield the fruits of heaven. Here is strength of nature, and fullness of stature; but still a defect of grace. Perhaps, Christ hath now some fair promises, of fruits hereafter: ²Let me first go bury my Father, then. But (a thousand to one) he finds something in Domo, left by his father, that keeps him a Domino, from following his Master. To prevent this, it is ⟨p. 20⟩his caution to the entertained servant; Forget thine own people, ³and thy fathers house: rather forgo and forget thy fathers house, then thy Makers service. 3. In old age: now the decay of body should argue a decay of sin. The taste finds no relish in riot, the ears cannot distinguish Music, the eyes are dim to pleasing objects, very Desire fails: now all things promise mortification. He that cannot stir abroad in the world, what should he do but recollect himself, and settle his thoughts on the world to come? Now fruits, or never. Not yet: Morosity, Pride, and Avarice, are the three diseases of old age: men covet most, when they have time to spend least: as cheating Tradesmen then get up most commodities into their hands, when they mean to break. Still he comes seeking fruit, and is returned with a Non Inuentus.