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 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.

Thus from a plain Text I have derived you familiar persuasions: for I came not hither to satisfy the curious head, but the honest heart. Admit but two considerations more, and I have done.

Thus from a plaine Text I haue deriued you familiar perswasions: for I came not hither to satisfie the curious head, but the honest heart. Admit but two considerations more, and I haue done.

First the Lord hath showed us the way to be fruitful, by his own example. He owes us nothing: if he withhold good things, we cannot