N00458:387
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.
3. The day of Gods patience may be nearer ⟨p. 161⟩an end that you are aware of. This deserves to be well thought of• and, to give some weight to this argument, be advised to consider.
1. In general, that God frequently falls upon such sinners, when they least expect it. Not but that they have reason and sufficient grounds for this expectation; if they would entertain them; for indeed their very barrenness is enough to excite it in them: but when they, through carnal confidence and vain security; indulge themselves in the expectance of many more days of tranquility, shut their eyes against convictions, and so live without fear of evil; then God breaks in upon them, and makes them to feel the impressions of his indignation; when they say, To morrow shall be as this day; and much more abundant, when they despise warnings, and trample upon threatenings, and say, the Vision is for many days to come. Thus our Saviour declares that it shall be done to the unfaithful Steward, Mat. 24. 50 51. this Paul tells us shall be the lot of such as neglect a day of grace, 1. Thes. 5. 3.
1. In generall, that God frequently falls upon such sinners, when they least expect it. Not but that they have reason and sufficient grounds for this expectation; if they would entertain them; for indeed their very barrenness is enough to excite it in them: but when they, through carnal confidence and vain security; indulge themselves in the expectance of many more days of tranquility, shut their eyes against convictions, and so live without fear of evil; then God breaks in upon them, and makes them to feel the impressions of his indignation; when they say, To morrow shall be as this day; and much more abundant, when they despise warnings, and trample upon threatnings, and say, the Vision is for many days to come. Thus our Saviour declares that it shall be done to the unfaithful Steward,