N00458:529
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. Upon what account this argument and plea of theirs prevails with God to let sinners alone a little longer?
A. We are not to suppose that mens pleadings, can alter Divine Purposes. Or make God to take up other resolutions concerning any than he hath from eternity determined in himself. But this is to be well remarked that God puts this into the hearts of his servants ⟨p. 231⟩and he puts these arguments into their mouths, and suffers these pleadings to prevail with him to answer their requests; and he hath holy designs in all this. Now the reasons why God is willing to forbear, that he may so give his servants farther opportunity to take pains with sinners, after they have continued barren under so many means, and so much patience as hath been already afforded them, are such as these.
1. He doth it to give his Ministers the opportunity to discharge their Consciences, towards such Sinners: that so, whether these will hear or forbear they may save their own souls; and may have peace in themselves, in that they have done their duty to the utmost of their power. By this means their savour comes to be more sweet unto God, whether these be saved or perish. It is true, Gods Ministers need pardon of all their defects every day; and if God should be strict, they could not stand: But as it cannot but be their great grief to think, these and those sinners are gone, and we have not discharged our duty to them: so, on the other hand, it will afford them great inward peace, though they cannot infallibly determine, what effect it hath wrought on them for their eternal good, yet that they have been faithful, and done their utmost as instruments in this affair. We see how cheerfully Paul can take ⟨p. 232⟩