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

But if God should at once cut down all the barren Trees among us, there never was such a cry in Egypt, as there would be about London. What innumerable swarms of nothing does beleaguer this City? men and women, whose whole employment is, to go from their beds to the Tap-house, then to the Play-house, where they make a match for the Brothel-house, and from thence to bed again. To omit those ambulatory Christians, that wear out the Pavement of this great Temple with their feet, but scarce ever ⟨p. 49⟩touch stone of it with their knees; that are never further from God, then when they are nearest the Church. To omit that rabble of begging and pilfering vagabonds, that like beasts, know no other end of their creation, but recreation; but to eat, and drink, and sleep. What an army of these might be mustered out of our Suburbs? But that Idleness hath disabled them to any service: they are neither fit for God nor man. Did they yet but like worms and insects, spend up the corruption of the Land, and leave us the less, it were somewhat. But they are worse, even diseases and unwholesome airs, to breed infection among us. Let Authority look to their castigation, or answer for their mischiefs: so far as they deserve, let them not be spared; Cut them down, Why cumber they the Ground?

But if God should at once cut down all the barren Trees among vs, there neuer was such a cry in Egypt, as there would be about London. What innumerable swarmes of nothing does beleaguer this Citie? men and women, whose whole imployment is, to goe from their beds to the Tap-house, then to the Play-house, where they make a match for the Brothel-house, and from thence to bed againe. To omit those ambulatory Christians, that weare out the Pauement of this great Temple with their feet, but scarse euer ⟨p. 49⟩touch stone of it with their knees; that are neuer further from God, then when they are neerest the Church. To omit that rabble of begging and pilfring vagabonds, that like beasts, know no other end of their creation, but recreation; but to eate, and drinke, and sleepe. What an armie of these might bee mustred out of our Suburbs? But that Idlenesse hath disabled them to any seruice: they are neither fit for God nor man. Did they yet but like wormes and insects, spend vp the corruption of the Land, and leaue vs the lesse, it were somewhat. But they are worse, euen diseases and vnwholsome ayres, to breed infection among vs. Let Authority looke to their castigation, or answere for their mischiefes: so farre as they deserue, let them not be spared; Cut them downe, Why comber they the Ground?