N00458:217
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.
5. They oftentimes fall into Snares and Temptations from Satan and his Instruments. The Devil hath a peculiar Design upon the Church of Christ; the gates of hell set themselves against it […] where the means of grace are most clearly dispensed, and the best endeavours are used to bring Souls unto Christ, Hell is most of all alarmed, and Satan useth all manner of stratagems to hold such in his hands; and if, whilst they are visibly Christs, he can keep them spiritually his own, his ends are answered. He hath also his Agents, l•ud persons, whom he employs, to tempt, allure, and drew men away, especially young persons, into vain company, to evil practices. •nd such things as may keep them from seriousness, and engage them to the lusts of their own hearts; and if any word comes close to their Consciences at any time, these Fowls readily pick it up.
5. They oftentimes fall into Snares and Temptations from Satan and his Instruments. The Devil hath a peculiar Design upon the Church of Christ; the gates of hell set themselves against it 〈…〉 where the means of grace are most clearly dispensed, and the best endeavours are used to bring Souls unto Christ, Hell is most of all allarmed, and Satan useth all manner of stratagems to hold such in his hands; and if, whilst they are visibly Christs, he can keep them spiritually his own, his ends are answered. He hath also his Agents, l•ud persons, whom he employs, to tempt, allure, and drew men away, especially young persons, into vain company, to evil practices. •nd such things as may keep them from seriousness, and engage them to the lusts of their own hearts; and if any word comes close to their Consciences at any time, these Fowls readily pick it up.
6. There is often a Judicial Blinding and Hardening fails upon them, by Gods righteous Judgment, God affords them row•ing and awakening means, and they sleep under them, and harden their hearts against them, and will not comply with his calls and counsels, and God hereupon sends them a penal hardness, whereby they are confirmed in it, so it was with them,