N00458:114
The barren fig trees doom. Or, A brief discourse wherein is set forth the…
The barren fig trees doom. Or, A brief discourse wherein is set forth the woeful danger of all who abide unfruitful under Gospel privileges, and Gods husbandry. Being the substance of sixteen sermons preached on Christ's parable of the fig-tree. / By Samuel Willard, teacher of a church in Boston. ; [Four lines from Matthew]The barren fig trees doom. Or, A brief discourse wherein is set forth the woful danger of all who abide unfruitful under Gospel priviledges, and Gods husbandry. Being the substance of sixteen sermons preached on Christ's parable of the fig-tree. / By Samuel Willard, teacher of a church in Boston. ; [Four lines from Matthew]
Boston: printed by Benjamin Harris, 1691
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.
And he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none.
WE have been considering of the Subject of the Parable; That which follows to be observed is,
II. The barrenness of the Fig-tree taken notice of by the Owner; and here are two things to be observed.
1. The Husbandmans peculiar inspection which he had upon this plant, He came and sought fruit thereon. [He came,] i. e. to this particular Tree. Motion is attributed to God after the manner of men, for he is every where by his Infinite Omnipresence; but it intimates a peculiar observation, [seeking] this world is also accommodated to humane Understanding; seeking, properly implies ⟨p. 39⟩an enquiring after something that one is at a loss about; but God knows what every one is, and will do: but it intends both a curious inspection and a rational expectation. The word is sometimes used for earnest desiring, yea importunately requiring a thing […] God requires it, and well may he observe whether they do answer this injunction of his. [Fruit thereon,] Fig-trees are planted for bearing, and visible Professors are put into the Church that they may have opportunity for serving God: and well may it be expected that every thing should answer its end.