N00458:132
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.
3. That the end which every one in the visible Church is called and pointed to, is to bear fruit. It is true, God hath a purpose of his own concerning them, which shall never be frustrate, he will have his honour by them, whether they fructify or no; which way soever it falls, he will have his glory, Paul is a sweet savour of God, in them that are saved, and i• them that perish. But this is that which God enjoins them all in: this is his positive command, which he hath laid upon every one that are taken so near unto him: that they do serve and obey him, Isa. 43. 2. This people have I formed for my self, they shall show forth my praise. God requires this ⟨p. 45⟩of every one, and what men require, they are wont to expect: for, because all men owe Obedience to all the commands of God, and his people are under peculiar, as well as general obligations hereunto, who that is so related would not look that such should obey him? for men then to fail in this respect, is to come short of their end; and God complains as if he had done for them in vain, Jer. 2. 30.
3. That the end which every one in the visible Church is called and pointed to, is to bear fruit. It is true, God hath a purpose of his own concerning them, which shall never be frustrate, he will have his honour by them, whether they fructify or no; which way soever it falls, he will have his glory, Paul is a sweet savour of God, in them that are saved, and i• them that perish. But this is that which God enjoyns them all in: this is his positive command, which he hath laid upon every one that are taken so near unto him: that they do serve and obey him, Isa. 43. 2. This people have I formed for my self, they shall shew forth my praise. God requires this ⟨p. 45⟩of every one, and what men require, they are wont to expect: for, because all men owe Obedience to all the commands of God, and his people are under peculiar, as well as general obligations hereunto, who that is so related would not look that such should obey him? for men then to fail in this respect, is to come short of their end; and God complains as if he had done for them in vain,