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

Of every soul here he seeks for fruits. Of the Magistrate, that he bring forth the fruits of Justice; determining causes with sincerity of decision, and convenience of ⟨p. 25⟩expedition: being so far as equity permits, a husband to the widow, and a father to the fatherless. Of the Minister, that he bring forth the fruits of knowledge. Aaron's Rod was his Pastoral staff: in one and the same night it brought forth buds, and blossoms, and fruit. Fruitfulness is the best argument that God hath called us: there is not a plant of his setting, but the very branches thereof shall flourish. I do not say, our pains shall always convert many Souls; that is Gods fruit, not ours: He chargeth us to be industrious in Preaching, let Himself alone with the work of saving. Of the private man, he expects the fruit of his calling: to be idle, is to be barren of good; and to be barren of good, is to be pregnant of all evil. Bella gerant alij, Protesilaus edit: but let us that are called to work, work in our calling; otherwise at last, we shall make but a sorry answer to that Question, Ubi fructus? Let us all produce the fruits of Charity: rich men do good turns to themselves; as they play at Tennis, tossing the Ball to him that will toss it to them again: seldom to the poor, for they are not able to bandy it back. Pride cuts, and Riot shuffles, but betwixt them both, they deal the poor but a bad game. The fruit of Christianity is Mercy; when the rich, like full ears of Corn, humble themselves to the poor ⟨p. 26⟩earth in Charity. Feed him, that feeds you: give him part of your Temporals, from whom you expect Eternals: you clothe Christ with your blacks on earth, he will clothe you with his glorious whites in heaven. Our mercy to others, is the Fruit of Gods mercy to us.

Of euery soule here hee seekes for fruites. Of the Magistrate, that he bring foorth the fruites of Iustice; determining causes with sinceritie of decision, and conuenience of ⟨p. 25⟩expedition: being so far as equitie permits, a husband to the widdow, and a father to the fatherlesse. Of the Minister, that hee bring forth the fruits of knowledge. Aarons Rod was his Pastorall staffe: in one and the same night it brought forth buds, and blossomes, and fruit. Fruitfulnesse is the best argument that God hath called vs: there is not a plant of his setting, but the very branches thereof shall flourish. I doe not say, our paynes shall alwayes conuert many Soules; that is Gods fruite, not ours: Hee chargeth vs to bee industrious in Preaching, let Himselfe alone with the worke of sauing. Of the priuate man, he expects the fruit of his calling: to bee idle, is to bee barren of good; and to bee barren of good, is to bee pregnant of all euill. Bella gerant alij, Protesilaus edit: but let vs that are called to worke, worke in our calling; otherwise at last, wee shall make but a sorry answere to that Question, Vbi fructus? Let vs all produce the fruits of Charity: rich men doe good turnes to themselues; as they play at Tennisse, tossing the Ball to him that will tosse it to them againe: seldome to the poore, for they are not able to bandy it backe. Pride cuts, and Ryot shuffles, but betwixt them both, they deale the poore but a bad game. The fruite of Christianitie is Mercie; when the rich, like full eares of Corne, humble themselues to the poore