N00458:330
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.
2. That hence the means, though proper as means, yet have their efficacy absolutely depending on him who hath made them means. Every man cannot wield Goliab•• Sword. The word indeed is compared to a two-edged Sword, but none can make it to cut by the Spirit: An Instrument is then serviceable, when one that is able and skilful applies it; the Word then converts, when the Spirit makes it a converting word. If God touch Lydia's heart, whilst Paul is Preaching; she shall yield to the call: if he puts quickening efficacy into it, men shall be quickened by it, else they remain dead in trespasses and sins, for all the endeavours of moral Instruments.
2. That hence the means, though proper as means, yet have their efficacy absoultely depending on him who hath made them means. Every man cannot wield Goliab•• Sword. The word indeed is compared to a two-edged Sword, but none can make it to cut by the Spirit: An Instrument is then serviceable, when one that is able and skillful applies it; the Word then converts, when the Spirit makes it a converting word. If God touch Lyd•a's heart, whilst Paul is Preaching; she shall yield to the call: if he puts quickning efficacy into it, men shall be quickned by it, else they remain dead in trespasses and sins, for all the endeavours of moral Instruments.
3. There is a natural resistance in the hearts of men, to all the endeavours which are used with them in the means. The con•enerate corruption which men lying with ⟨p. 134⟩them into the world, hath in it a strong in mity against all which is good, Rom. 8.7, •. and by virtue of this they set themselves to resist the Spirit of God, and so withstand all the calls and counsels that are given them, despising the goodness and forbearance of God, and turning the Gospel grace into wantonness: and thus will all men do as long as they are left to themselves, by reason of the wickedness that is in their hearts.