N00458:396
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.
Here is the sentence which the Owner pronounceth on the fig-tree, upon his complaint; Cut it down: stub it up, root it out, let it no longer have any room in the vineyard, but make it fit for the fire. Their danger then is very great, they stand on the very brink of ruin. That Gods patience may he tired out, and is so by multitudes under the Gospel, hath been already observed; and now we see what becomes of such as these they are to be cut down: God faith it, and he doth not speak words but things. That this Doctrine may be made manifest, we may consider.
HEre is the sentence which the Owner pronounceth on the fig-tree, upon his complaint; Cut it down: stub it up, root it out, let it no longer have any room in the vineyard, but make it fit for the fire. Their danger then is very great, they stand on the very brink of ruine. That Gods patience may he tired out, and is so by multitudes under the Gospel, hath been already observed; and now we see what becomes of such as these they are to be cut down: God faith it, and he doth not speak words but things. That this Doctrine may be made manifest, we may consider.
1. What is contained or implied in this cutting down?
2. Why it must come to this when Gods patience is wearied?