N00458:514
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.
2. On what account this argument & plea of theirs prevails with God?
1. What influence this reason hath into the desires of Gods servants, to make them so earnest for a year longer?
A. It is certain that desires have their motives, and rational desires are moved rationally. Now when Christs Messengers see the eminent danger that is over the heads of sinners, and the axe of Divine vengeance ready to cut them down; as humane pity cannot but stir in them the bowels of compassion; so there is not a little in this consideration to raise these desires in them to greater measures of ardency: and that in a double respect, viz. both with respect to themselves, and referring to those for whom these desires are:
A. It is certain that desires have their motives, and rational desires are moved rationally. Now when Christs Messengers see the eminent danger that is over the heads of sinners, and the ax of Divine vengeance ready to cut them down; as humane pity cannot but stir in them the bowels of compassion; so there is not a little in this consideration to raise these desires in them to greater measures of ardency: and that in a double respect, viz. both with respect to themselves, and referring to those for whom these desires are: