N00458:314
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. Be frequent and distinct in observing all the ways in which God comes to you. There hath been a summary account of this given in the explication of the Doctrine: and if God distinctly observes them, do you do so too; and that both outwardly and inwardly: and be very particular: remember this Sabbath, that Lecture, this mercy, that affliction, &c: what was spoken in your hearing, and what there was whispered in your hearts: and reckon, not only the seasons that you did enjoy; but what you might have enjoyed if you had not willingly, at least negligently omitted; for God certainly doth so; and you must expect to hear of it again.
1. Be frequent and distinct in observing all the ways in which God comes to you. There hath been a summary account of this given in the explication of the Doctrine: and if God distinctly observes them, do you do so too; and that both outwardly and inwardly: and be very particular: remember this Sabbath, that Lecture, this mercy, that afflection, &c: what was spoken in your hearing, and what there was whispered in your hearts: and reckon, not only the seasons that you did enjoy; but what you might have enjoyed if you had not willingly, at least negligently omitted; for God certainly doth so; and you must expect to hear of it again.
2. Examine you selves particularly what use you have made of these things. Set down the improvement over-against the enjoyment: this is the way to have the accounts clear. Say to your own Souls, God ⟨p. 128⟩came to me at such a time in his Word, and spake thus, what impression did it make on my heart and life: he came in such a mercy, what did I render to him for it? he spake to me by such an affliction, how did I resent it? what is my profiting by all these things? and that your account may be full, enquire after your carriage both in the time, and afterwards: what impression did it leave on your hearts? did you entertain God speaking to you, or did you reject him? and how did it in•••ence your after-conversation: did you soon forget it, or hath it made you to be more careful and critical in your steps?