A treatise of effectual calling and election. In XVI. sermons, on 2 Pet. 1.10…

7. That if men continue long under the enjoyment of the word, and are not effectually called by it, they are likely never to be called. I would commend to you that place to prove this, in Luke 13.6, 7. where Christ tells you of a fig tree, he stayed three years looking for fruit, and he found none; the husbandman prayed to spare it one year longer, and if it did not bear fruit then, he should cut it down, and cast it into the fire. Now, this fig tree were the professing Jews, who lay some competent time under the Ministry of Christ, and of his Apostles; and this fig-tree, if it were spared but one year, and brought not forth fruit, then it should be cut down: and Christ did so, it seems he curst it, and said, never fruit grow more upon this tree. Now, you would ask ⟨p. 54⟩what the meaning of all this is? Why, Beloved, a fig-tree, if it beareth not fruit within four years after it is planted, it is likely never to bring forth fruit: And here the parable comes home thus far, that if after some competency of time, in which in all likelihood, men may have some sparks wrought in them by the ministry of the word; if after all this they are not converted, the curse of the fig-tree is like to fall upon that mans heart; never let word do that man good more, and never let grace grow in that mans heart more; let never fruit grow more upon that tree; this the Parable holds forth, that if you live under the enjoyment of the word long, and are not converted, it is an argument you shall not be called. And this is a heart-cutting consideration to all ancient men, that have out-lived many Ministers, and have seen their Ministers laid in the Grave; their Ministers have spent their strength, and wasted their lungs in preaching to them; and yet they are as profane as ever, and as loose as ever, and as regardless of God and grace as ever; truly, you are in a very sad case if it be thus with you, you are likely never to be called by Jesus Christ.

7. That if men continue long under the enjoyment of the word, and are not effectually called by it, they are likely never to be called. I would commend to you that place to prove this, in Luke 13.6, 7. where Christ tels you of a fig tree, he stayed three years looking for fruit, and he found none; the husbandman prayed to spare it one yeare longer, and if it did not bear fruit then, he should cut it down, and cast it into the fire. Now, this fig tree were the professing Jewes, who lay some competent time under the Ministrie of Christ, and of his Apostles; and this fig-tree, if it were spared but one year, and brought not forth fruit, then it should be cut down: and Christ did so, it seems he curst it, and said, never fruit grow more upon this tree. Now, you would ask