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? Yes, enough of some fruits, but the Prophet calls them Ficos valde mal•s, so bad that they cannot be eaten. ¹As the fruit of ⟨p. 37⟩the Vine is commended for Quickness, the fruit of the Olive for Fatness, so the fruit of the Fig-tree for Sweetness; in Jotham's Parable. ²But if it bear not Fructum nativitatis suae, the fruit of the own kind, but bitter figs; here had better be none at all. What an uncomfortable sight is this to Him, whose heart is set on his Orchard; after the cost of so dear blood to purchase it, after such indulgent care to cherish it, and the charges of so many workmen to dress it; yea, after so much patience to expect it (say the Fig-tree does not bear so soon as it is planted; in our infancy we can do nothing, in our minority we will do little, in Gods service: but now it is grown fructifiable) Jam non gustare fructus, not to have so much as a taste? Yea, were this all; did barrenness only usurp it: but there is worse then a mere orbitie or absence of goodness; a position of bitter fruits: Quaesivi Vuas, ³inveni• Labruscas: I find wild Grapes, luxurient fruits. Instead of the hearty effects, which Wine produceth, I am answered with the melancholy prevarications of malice.

None? Yes, enough of some fruites, but the Prophet calls them Ficos valde mal•s, so bad that they cannot be eaten. ¹As the fruite of ⟨p. 37⟩the Vine is commended for Quicknesse, the fruit of the Oliue for Fatnesse, so the fruit of the Fig-tree for Sweetnesse; in Iothams Parable. ²But if it beare not Fructum natiuitatis suae, the fruit of the owne kinde, but bitter figges; here had better be none at all. What an vncomfortable sight is this to Him, whose heart is set on his Orchard; after the cost of so deare bloud to purchase it, after such indulgent care to cheerish it, and the charges of so many workemen to dresse it; yea, after so much patience to expect it (say the Fig-tree does not beare so soone as it is planted; in our insancie we can doe nothing, in our minoritie we will doe little, in Gods seruice: but now it is growne fructifiable) Iam non gustare fructus, not to haue so much as a taste? Yea, were this all; did barrennesse onely vsurpe it: but there is worse then a meere orbitie or absence of goodnesse; a position of bitter fruits: Quaesiui Vuas,