N00458:182
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.
USE I.
For Information in two particulars.
1. See here the Atheism of all such as are bold to sin, because they think that God regards them not. For the Heathen, that know not God, thus to do, is not so much to be wondered at; and yet even some of them will rise up in Judgment against us, if we do thus: but for those that are taken so near unto God, as all they are that are in his Church to be guilty of this, is an astonishing thing; whether there be any among us that dare to say it in words, may be questioned; but there are too many whose practices declare them to be directed by these false principles, this is too evident; and indeed, that is the root of all wickedness that is committed among Professors: God himself acquaints us, tha• hence sprang all the impiety and wickedness of the men of Judah, Ezek 8. 12. They say God seeth not; it may be they did not say it any otherwise but in their hearts? and truly this is little if any thing better than what the •ool saith, viz. There is no God, Psal. 14. 1. would those that are of the holy seed perpetrate ⟨p. 69⟩such abominations as they do? would they that have the name of God called upon them, and that are under the obligations of the Gospel-Covenant, live like Heathen that know not God? would they drive a trade of sin and vanity, were they indeed persuaded that they are under the watchful eye of the great God, which is making daily remarks upon what they do, and taking a most distinct account of all their actions? surely it could not be. If they thought that the flaming Eye of his Jealousy were looking intensely upon them, it would make them afraid of doing such things as they do,