N00458:262
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 II.
This may teach us not to place too much upon men. It is a fault too frequent, and of dangerous consequence, for us to tarry at Instruments, and either on the one hand to adore them, or on the other to undervalue them. It is true, the Gifts, graces, industry, prudence, which God bestows upon them are to be acknowledged: but to have any mans person in admiration, to the contempt of others, as if this must needs be the converting man, and not the other, is to dishonour God, and give away his incommunicable glory to a Creature: nor can we do such men a greater displeasure: Paul is as much dissatisfied at them, who said they were for Paul, as those that were for Apollos; because they put too much respect upon him.
USE III.
Hence fidelity and not bare success shall be the Ministers trial and crown another day. I confess, that here in this life, they that bring in many to Christ, have abundance of joy, and are highly beloved by them that have experienced saving good by them; and they that comfort few or none, have abundance of grief and sorrow. But when they shall come to stand before Christ's Tribunal, and are to receive their reward, that man shall have no more commendation than this: he did no more for God, though God did more by him: nay, if there be degrees of reward according to what men have done and suffered for Christ, I am sure this man hath done as much, and suffered more: and if this were not the support of the hearts of some of Gods Servants, they would sometimes saint within them, Christ comforted himself with this,