N00458:26
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. The Subject of which the Parable is spoken: A certain man had a Fig-tree planted in his Vineyard. The Spiritual meaning of these Parabolical Expressions is to be enquired after: and here; What is meant by the certain man? What by the Vineyard? What by the Fig-tree? And what by its being planted in the Vineyard?
1. By the Certain Man, is certainly intended God, being to deal with men as men, he resembleth himself to a man; and it is not limited to this or that man in particular, but expressed of any man, under such a respect; to show that it is of universal consideration; and it is sure, that God not only challengeth a propriety in all the world as his; but more particularly in his Church, as standing under special relation to him: and therefore,
1. By the Certain Man, is certainly intended God, being to deal with men as men, he resembleth himself to a man; and it is not limited to this or that man in particular, but expressed of any man, under such a respect; to shew that it is of universal consideration; and it is sure, that God not only challengeth a propriety in all the world as his; but more particularly in his Church, as standing under special relation to him: and therefore,
2. By the Vineyard we are to understand the Visible Church. It is not to be restrained to the Church of Gods Elect, and Effectually Called; for though his Elect do till Conversion ⟨p. 5⟩abide unfruitful, yet all his called ones do bring forth fruit unto him; but here is a Tree in the Vineyard that bears none, and i• supposed never so to do: I know Gro•ius, to favour his Arminian notions, interprets the Vineyard to mean the World, and the Fig-tree the Nation of the Jews; but, though a particular Church, is sometimes resembled by a Plant, as a Vine,