N00458:484
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.
6. Gods faithful Ministers are usually more deeply sensible of the miserable condition ⟨p. 208⟩that such are in, than others are. Every true believer hath more or less of this sense? it flows from the Grace that is in them: but those Gracious souls whose peculiar business lies in the contemplation of the Scriptures, & acquainting of themselves, that so they may acquaint others with the great and awful truths therein contained, must needs have some special impressions of these things made upon their hearts, and this must needs work answerably on their affections. That was it which so engaged Paul he knew the terrors of the Lord, 2. Cor. 5. 11. Yea, and God oftentimes gives them more experimental knowledge of themselves and that adds unto the Affection matter of incitement.
7. The special relation which these bear to such, makes them peculiarly solicitous for them. They are not only related to them as their fellow reasonable Creatures, but also as God hath Commissionated them to bring the Gospel of peace unto them, and labour with them for their saving good: they are therefore tende•• ••em; they are their charge and they are […] them as so many children they have travailing pains for them, that they may be made partakers in saving Grace and brought to Christ: thus Paul argues with his Galatians, Gal. 4. 19. And who is so much grieved at the children's disaster as the mother, and therefore none will beg harder for them then show.
7. The special relation which these bear to such, makes them peculiarly sollicitious for them. They are not only related to them as their fellow reasonable Creatures, but also as God hath Commissionated them to bring the Gospel of peace unto them, and labour with them for their saving good: they are therefore tende em; they are their charge and they are them as so many children they have travailing pains for them, that they may be made partakers in saving Grace and brought to Christ: thus Paul argues with his Galations,