N00458:232
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.
1. Consider that God expects fruit of every one in his Church. He looks for it, & you can no otherwise answer the end of your being set there. This hath been already evidenced, and it hath a mighty plea in it; for doth not God deserve it of you? Is it not an ill requital of all his care and cost •aid out upon you, to deny it to him? is it not the most unreasonable thing that you should stand within the fence, and take up room in the ground, and be of no profit at all?
2. And God observes as well as expects: and should not this be a consideration of weight with you, to think that whatever I am doing, Gods jealous eye is upon me: if I am barren, he keeps the account of that, and if I am fruitful, he will not forget that: He that knows that he is always under the watchful inspection of the great God, had need to be careful of himself.
3. And if you be not fruitful, he will not always bear it: and this your very reason may assure you of: though he be patient, yet be can be weary with for bearing: and this is a solemn consideration, & should carry great awe in it to all our hearts, you cannot promise your selves always to be indulged, unless goodness ⟨p. 91⟩leads you to repentance. And for your help here.
3. And if you be not fruitful, he will not always bear it: and this your very reason may assure you of: though he be patient, yet be can be weary with for bearing: and this is a solemn consideration, & should carry great aw in it to all our hearts, you cannot promise your selves always to be indulged, unless goodness ⟨p. 91⟩