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

2 It draws away nourishment from better Plants, that would bear us fruits. For this Christ denounced a woe to those Jewish Clerks, that keeping the Keys of heaven would neither enter themselves, ¹nor suffer others. What should become of them, that will neither do good, nor suffer good to be done, but cutting down? A great Oak pines all the underwood near it, yea spoils the grass that should feed the cattle. ²A great Oppressor engrosseth all round about him, till there be no place left for a fertile Tree. Mean while, himself hath only some leaves, to shadow his Sycophants; but no fruit, unless Bramble-berries, and such as the Hogs will scarce eat.

2 It drawes away nourishment from better Plants, that would beare vs fruits. For this Christ denounced a woe to those Iewish Clarkes, that keeping the Keies of heauen would neither enter themselues, ¹nor suffer others. What should become of them, that wil neither do good, nor suffer good to be done, but cutting downe? A great Oake pines all the vnderwood neere it, yea spoiles the grasse that should feed the cattell. ²A great Oppressor engrosseth all round about him, till there bee no place left for a fertile Tree. Meane while, himselfe hath onely some leaues, to shaddow his Sychophants; but no fruit, vnlesse Bramble-berries, and such as the Hogs will scarce eate.

1. 1Matth. 23.13
2. 2Isaiah 5.•.Esay 5.•.