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

None? Peradventure he came before the season; Nondum tempus erat Ficorum. When should a Tree bring forth fruits, but Tempore suo? This is the praise of the good Tree, that it brings forth the fruit in due season. ¹If the Fig-tree could have objected to the Owner, ²as Elisha to his servant; Hoccine tempus; Is this a time to plant Vineyards, or gather fruit? Or as the man replied to his neighbour, ³that came to borrow loaves at midnight; Is this a time to lend Bread, when my self and family are in bed? The Spring is the season of fructifying, the Autumn of ⟨p. 31⟩gathering. ⁴When the time of the singing of Birds is come, Then the Figtree puts forth her green Figges. But Cum fermento perfundatur puluis, when the dust is leavened with mire, and the bands of Orion have locked up the influence of Heaven. Who seeks fruit in Winter; he must be content with Winter fruit. There is the Winter of an afflicted Conscience; no marvel then if neither ripe Figs, nor so much as green leaves appear: when all the Sap is retired to the Root, as in extreme cold the blood runs to the heart to succour it. When the Babylonians required of their captive Israelites some Hebrew Songs, they could soon answer; How shall we sing the Lords Song in a strange Land? Is this a time or place to be merry? ⁵But did the Lord come out of season? No, he required it not the first day, or month, but waited the full time, expecting fruit in the Autumn or Vintage season. ⁶Non ante tempus querit, qui per triennium venit. He came not with a Triennial Visitation, as Episcopal Fathers use to visit, once in three years; but every year, every month in the year, week of the month, day of the week. Of another Fig-tree it is said, ⁷that The time of Figs was not yet, yet he cursed it: Here the time was three years past without fruit, yet he cursed it not. But look to it; If thou wilt not fructify Tempore tuo,