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

All covet to be great Trees, few to be good. The Briar would grow up to the bigness of the Maple, the Maple would be as tall as the Cedar, the Cedar as strong as the Oak: and these so spread their roots, till ⟨p. 52⟩they starve the rest by an insensible soaking. When mother earth, the Church, would derive her sap to some young hopeful Plant, these intercept it. There is maintenance due to the Minister, but the barren Impropriator stands in his way, & sucks it all from him: perhaps he leaves him some few drops, to cool his temples, but not enough to preserve life.

All couet to be great Trees, fewe to bee good. The Bryar would grow vp to the bignesse of the Maple, the Maple would be as tall as the Cedar, the Cedar as strong as the Oake: and these so spread their rootes, till ⟨p. 52⟩they starue the rest by an insensible foaking. When mother earth, the Church, would deriue her sap to some young hopefull Plant, these intercept it. There is maintenance due to the Minister, but the barren Impropriator stands in his way, & sucks it al from him: perhaps he leaues him some few drops, to coole his temples, but not enough to preserue life.

But the famished tree cries against him that draws the life from it, & yields no fruit; and God will hear it, Abscinde, cut it down. How charitable would Lazarus have been, had he been owner of Dives his estate? How would Mordecai have promoted the good of Israel, had he been as great a favourite as Haman was? How freely would the conscionable man give spiritual preferments, were he a Patron? He that fears God, would justly render the Church her dues, did he drive such trades, and dwell in such houses, as you do. But that God, who disposeth all as it pleaseth him, mend all when it pleaseth him, even for his own mercies sake.

But the famished tree cries against him that drawes the life from it, & yeelds no fruit; and God will heare it, Abscinde, cut it downe. How charitable would Lazarus haue bene, had he bene owner of Diues his estate? How would Mordecai haue promoted the good of Israel, had he bene as great a fauorite as Haman was? How freely would the conscionable man giue spiritual preferments, were he a Patron? He that feares God, would iustly render the Church her dues, did he driue such trades, and dwell in such houses, as you do. But that God, who disposeth all as it pleaseth him, mend all when it pleaseth him, euen for his owne mercies sake.