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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.
SERMON XIII
2. I proceed to the consideration of the reason of the Vine-Dressers request; under which he obligeth himself to his farther and more endeavours with it for its help to bear; till I shall dig about it, and dung it. The two expressions here used do signify two known pieces of Husbandry that are wont to be employed about trees, to make them to bear: They that are skilful Gardeners when they see a tree to fail in point of fruitfulness, are wont to dig about the Roots, and lay them bare for a while, and afterwards to apply dung to them, and to cover them again, as a proper expedient to attain their end by; and these Metaphors do signify the improvement of all suitable and proper means with sinners, to bring them to Repentance, and new Obedience: Not that Gods Servants have not been doing of this before, for men ⟨p. 222⟩are not to be judged truly faithful, that neglect to urge and press the Truths of the Word upon Sinners, and endeavours to prevail with them to come unto God, and believe in Christ: but it intimates that they will persist in it; and that this consideration quickens them to more earnestness, and diligence in it; and it may also design a more particular and personal application unto such: and herein we are made to understand,
2. I proceed to the consideration of the reason of the Vine-Dressers request; under which he obligeth himself to his farther and more endeavours with it for its help to bear; till I shall dig about it, and dung it. The two expressions here used do signifie two known pieces of Husbandry that are wont to be employed about trees, to make them to bear: They that are skilful Gardeners when they see a tree to fail in point of fruitfulness, are wont to dig about the Roots, and lay them bare for a while, and afterwards to apply dung to them, and to cover them again, as a proper expedient to attain their end by; and these Metaphors do signifie the improvement of all suitable and proper means with sinners, to bring them to Repentance, and new Obedience: Not that Gods Servants have not been doing of this before, for men