N00458:340
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 this Patience of God gives men a great deal of opportunity to bring forth fruit, if they had an heart to it. This life is a time of serving God in; that which follows is the time of reward: the longer therefore men live in Gods Vineyard, the greater season they have of doing him service: every day that they are there continued, puts a new price into their hands, which, when once Gods patience is at an end, ⟨p. 137⟩men must never more expect to enjoy: and hence the more of it is now allowed them, which they improve not, the more opportunity is lost: it gives them space to bethink themselves, to reflect upon their Ways and courses, to recover their lost time, and to redeem their season, by a better and more diligent improvement of it.
3. The means afforded them are very proper as means, to the end of fruitfulness. Means indeed are to be looked at in their proper place, and acknowledged as so; and in this respect there is nothing wanting to them, which is proper and suitable in this affair. Our fruit is a reasonable service, Ro. •2. 1. the means which God comes to us in, are very well accommodated to such a service, for its help, 2 Tim. 3. 16, 17. They serve to inform the understanding in the Doctrines of Salvation, and tell men wherein God is to be served; what is the fruit that he expects and will accept; where strength i• to be had, and how to be improved; to establish the Judgment in the excellency of Obedience, and great benefits of serving God; to convince the Conscience of all sin and disobedience: to terrify sinners from their sinful unprofitableness; to encourage holiness, by all the precious promises which are made to all such as bear fruit: and what more can be desired in means.
3. The means afforded them are very proper as means, to the end of fruitfulness. Means indeed are to be looked at in their proper place, and acknowledged as so; and in this respect there is nothing wanting to them, which is proper and suitable in this affair. Our fruit is a reasonable service, Ro. 2. 1. the means which God comes to us in, are very well accommodated to such a service, for its help,