N00458:234
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. 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⟩leads you to repentance. And for your help here.
1. Be sensible of your native barrenness, and go to God to remove it: sense of impotency is the first step to profitableness: A proud opinion of our own righteousness, is the main remora to our Conversion. God only can teach us to profit; when a barren heart is felt, and burdensome, he is ready to afford his help to all those that come to him, and pray against it.
2. Beware of hearkening to Satan, and resisting the Spirit of God. This is the undoing of multitudes under the Gospel; Satan inveigles them with his Temptations, and they comply with them: the Spirit of God comes and solicits them and they regard him not. Hearken to him, and he will work your works in and for you.