N00458:380
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.
Let it serve to awaken carnal and fruitless Professors out of this security, you that have been many years in the vineyard, and barren still, be roused up by this consideration; God hath born with you a great while; but seriously consider that, the day of Patience hath its limits, and will come to an end. And that I may urge this Truth upon you in its solemnity, give me leave to lay some awful considerations before you.
1. Consider that you have to do with a God who will not be mocked. It is true, he is a gracious, and merciful, and long-suffering God, but beware of misimproving these Discoveries; know it therefore that he is an Holy G od too, & jealous for his great Name; he shows his rich mercy to you in that he gives you the privileges of his house, and lays out so much upon you in it; in that he bestows on you the Gospel favours, and waits that he may be gracious to you; but he is not to be trampled upon, his goodness is not to be despised; he will be glorified in them that draw near unto him; be not therefore deceived, think not that he will be trifled withal by sinners; he is a terrible God in his Church, and all they there that will ⟨p. 160⟩dare him to it, by their living in sin, shall find him to be so to their cost.
1. Consider that you have to do with a God who will not be mocked. It is true, he is agracious, and merciful, and long-suffering God, but beware of misimproving these Discoveries; know it therefore that he is an Holy G od too, & jealous for his great Name; he shews his rich mercy to you in that he gives you the priviledges of his house, and lays out so much upon you in it; in that he bestows on you the Gospel favours, and waits that he may be gracious to you; but he is not to be trampled upon, his goodness is not to be despised; he will be glorified in them that draw near unto him; be not therefore deceived, think not that he will be trifled withal by sinners; he is a terrible God in his Church, and all they there that will