A30241:2204
CXLV expository sermons upon the whole 17th chapter of the Gospel according to St.…
CXLV expository sermons upon the whole 17th chapter of the Gospel according to St. John, or, Christs prayer before his passion explicated, and both practically and polemically improved by Anthony Burgess ...
London: printed by Abraham Miller for Thomas Underhill, 1656
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Sermon 90: The Contraries to Growth in Grace. A Comfortable Advertisement to such as mourn under t…
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Secondly, Barrenness, This is the fruit of Idleness: As the Apostle saith, He that doth not work let him not eat, Let him starve if he will; This is also true here, He that will not labour in a spiritual manner, he shall not eat, he shall neither have more Grace, or more comfort, Barrenness in one that looketh to Heaven is a very heinous sin, Heb. 6.7. The Earth which drinketh in much rain, and yet is barren, is nigh to cursing; Did not our Saviour say to the Fig-Tree that had no fruit on it, Never fruit grow on thee more, Matth. 21.12. So that God punisheth barrenness with barrenness: It's thy sin to bear no fruit, and it shall be thy Curse; How severely was that unprofitable Servant dealt with, who though he did not embezzle his Masters Talent, yet because he hid it in a Napkin, and did not improve it, Therefore he is commanded to be cast into utter darkness, Matth. 25.30. Tremble then under all manner of unfruitfulness and unprofitableness, Say, How doth this agree with Growth in Grace?
Secondly, Barrennesse, This is the fruit of Idlenesse: As the Apostle saith, He that doth not work let him not eat, Let him starve if he will; This is also true here, He that will not labour in a spirituall manner, he shall not eat, he shall neither have more Grace, or more comfort, Barrennesse in one that looketh to Heaven is a very hainous sinne, Heb. 6.7. The Earth which drinketh in much rain, and yet is barren, is nigh to cursing; Did not our Saviour say to the Fig-Tree that had no fruit on it, Never fruit grow on thee more, Matth. 21.12. So that God punisheth barrennesse with barrennesse: It's thy sinne to bear no fruit, and it shall be thy Curse; How severely was that unprofitable Servant dealt with, who though he did not imbezill his Masters Talent, yet because he hid it in a Napkin, and did not improve it, Therefore he is commanded to be cast into utter darknesse, Matth. 25.30. Tremble then under all manner of unfruitfulnesse and unprofitablenesse, Say, How doth this agree with Growth in Grace?