Filter authors and titles

N00458:559

The barren fig trees doom. Or, A brief discourse wherein is set forth the…

Name: The barren fig trees doom. Or, A brief discourse wherein is set forth the…
Author: Samuel Willard

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]

:556p. 244¶3

3. Hence all these wheresoever they are, shall sooner or later be brought in by the means of Grace. There is no uncertainty in the thing it self as to the futurition of it; that shall be a truth in the winding up, Acts. 13. 43, As many as were ordained to Eternal Life, believed; these may possibly lie a great while in their sins, and abide barren under manifold essays used with them, there may be a great deal of time and cost for the present lost upon them; they may out-stand the three years of Patience, and fall into the one year of probation, before they bear an, fruit; but it is certain they shall turn to God before they die, they shall not be cut down for their barrenness; they shall be born to God, though it be out of time.

3. Hence all these wheresoever they are, shall sooner or later be brought in by the means of Grace. There is no uncertainty in the thing it self as to the futurition of it; that shall be a truth in the winding up, Acts. 13. 43, As many as were ordained to Eternal Life, believed; these may possibly lie a great while in their sins, and abide barren under manifold essays used with them, there may be a great deal of time and cost for the present lost upon them; they may out-stand the three years of Patience, and fall into the one year of probation, before they bear an, fruit; but it is certain they shall turn to God before they dy, they shall not be cut down for their barrenness; they shall be born to God, though it be out of time.

:557p. 244–245¶4

4. But the Gospel means are sent to more than are chosen. Our Saviour more than once useth that assertion, many are called, but few are chosen, by which he doth not intend effectual vocation, for that belongs• to none but the few who are chosen, but the outward calling of the Gospel, by which men are ⟨p. 245⟩brought into the visible Church, and are invited to come unto Christ, believing on him, to seek grace from him, whereby they may be enabled to serve him, it is therefore such a call as men refuse to close cordially withal. Those whom God hath set his love upon, are, before their conversion, among the rest of the world, they are alike as to their natural state; and those unto whom the dispensation of the Gospel is committed, do not know how to distinguish these from others, and are therefore enjoined to come unto such a people, and make offers of grace universally to all that hear them, Isa. 55. 1. Ho! every one that thirsteth come, Rev. 22. 17. whosoever will, let him take the waters of life freely; and Christ is by them as much offered to one as to another, and they are as seriously and solemnly invited to come in unto him; and accept of his grace; and if they refuse to entertain these offers, they will be inexcusable, and their guilt will be aggravated, Joh. 15 21.

4. But the Gospel means are sent to more than are chosen. Our Saviour more than once useth that assertion, many are called, but few are chosen, by which he doth not intend effectual vocation, for that belongs• to none but the few who are chosen, but the outward calling of the Gospel, by which men are ⟨p. 245⟩brought into the visible Church, and are invited to come unto Christ, believing on him, to seek grace from him, whereby they may be •nabled to serve him, it is therefore such a call as men refuse to close cordially withal. Those whom God hath set his love upon, are, before their conversion, among the rest of the world, they are alike as to their natural state; and those unto whom the dispensation of the Gospel is committed, do not know how to distinguish these from others, and are therefore enjoyned to come unto such a people, and make offers of grace universally to all that hear them, Isa. 55. 1. Ho! every one that thirsteth come, Rev. 22. 17. whosoever will, let him take the waters of life freely; and Christ is by them as much offered to one as to another, and they are as seriously and solemnly invited to come in unto him; and accept of his grace; and if they refuse to entertain these offers, they will be inexcusable, and their guilt will be aggravated, Joh. 15 21.

:558p. 245–246¶5

5. We cannot know antecedently to conversion who are chosen, i. e. by any ordinary notes or signs. God did sometimes immediately reveal this to his Extraordinary Ambassadors of old, although not always: but there are no rules given us, by which we may conclude positively that such are Elected, and thereby encourage our selves particularly to use endeavours with them that ⟨p. 246⟩they may be called; there being no Scripture Rules on which we can proceed: and therefore such a Faith hath no foundation. There is no••ing in their good natures; for God sometimes chooseth the most rugged dispositions, when he passeth by the most ingenious; that young man, Mat. 19. bad fair, but he fell short: not by any impulse on our spirits, making us to be more earnest and solicitous for them than others; for God may thus encourage endeavours in us, to make them thereby become the more inexcusable.

5. We cannot know antecedently to conversion who are chosen, i. e. by any ordinary notes or signs. God did sometimes immediately reveal this to his Extraordinary Ambassadors of old, although not always: but there are no ruies given us, by which we may conclude positively that such are Elected, and thereby encourage our selves particularly to use endeavours with them that ⟨p. 246⟩they may be called; there being no Scripture Rules on which we can proceed: and therefore such a Faith hath no foundation. There is no••ing in their good natures; for God sometimes chuseth the most rugged dispositions, when he passeth by the most ingenious; that young man, Mat. 19. bad fair, but he fell short: not by any impulse on our spirits, making us to be more earnest and sollicitous for them than others; for God may thus encourage endeavours in us, to make them thereby become the more inexcusable.

:559p. 246¶6

6. Men cannot convert whom they please. The new birth depends not on the wills of men Joh. •. 13. Our good will may animate us to our duty and because our love to them makes us very loth that they should perish, it will excite industry in us: and Gods end is thus accomplished by us; but our Grace cannot infuse it, though we have never so much of it in us. What Godly Parent would lose one of his Children? What Godly Minister would lose any of his Flock? What Godly Christian would see any one of his neighbours perish if this could be? If it could be in his power to bring them home to Christ there should none of them lie out from him. Men▪ work is, in their place to endeavour this, but the efficacy of it depends upon an higher virtue; I. Cor. 3.6: I have planted, Apollos hath watered, but God gave the increase.

6. Men cannot convert whom they please. The new birth depends not on the wills of men Joh. •. 13. Our good will may animate us to our duty and because our love to them makes us very loth that they should perish, it will excite industry in us: and Gods end is thus accomplished by us; but our Grace cannot infuse it, though wee have never so much of it in us. What Godly Parent would lose one of his Children? What Godly Minister would lose any of his Flock? What Godly Christian would see any one of his neighbours perish if this could be? If it could be in his power to bring them home to Christ there should none of them ly out from him. Men▪ work is, in their place to endeavour this, but the efficacy of it depends upon an higher vertue; I. Cor. 3.6: I have planted, Apollos hath watered, but God gave the encrease.

:560p. 246–247¶7

7. As none but God can bless the means ⟨p. 247⟩with success, so he doth his pleasure in it: Christ, speaking of Regeneration, tells us, Joh. 3.8. The wind bloweth where it listeth, so is every one that is born of the Spirit of God: As it is of grace, so that it may appear to be so. God takes and leaves as he sees meet, Rom. 8. 18. He hath mercy on whom he will have mercy. All the labours of his people are under the Sovereign Dispose of his hand; they may throw out the Net, but it is he who must bring the fish into it, if they take any, or else they may toil all night and catch none: nor is he obliged to do it, he is neither obliged to sinners to convert them, for it is by grace that any are saved; nor is he engaged to such as seek and endeavour it, for he can recompense their labour fully in another way, if he please to frustrate it in the thing it self.

7. As none but God can bless the means ⟨p. 247⟩with success, so he doth his pleasure in it: Christ, speaking of Regeneration, tells us, Joh. 3.8. The wind blow•th where it listeth, so is every one that is born of the Spirit of God: As it is of grace, so that it may appear to be so. God takes and leaves as he sees meet, Rom. 8. 18. He hath mercy on whom he will have mercy. All the labours of his people are under the Soveraign Dispose of his hand; they may throw out the Net, but it is he who must bring the fish into it, if they take any, or else they may toil all night and catch none: nor is he obliged to do it, he is neither obliged to sinners to convert them, for it is by grace that any are saved; nor is he engaged to such as seek and endeavour it, for he can recompense their labour fully in another way, if he please to frustrate it in the thing it self.

:561p. 247–248¶8

8. There are none that know whether God will give his blessing to, or with-hold it from their utmost endeavours. If he do afford it, their labour shall be succeeded, if he restrain it, sinners will remain impenitent under all. This God hath kept as a secret with himself; and therefore all our endeavours must needs be under uncertainties, and the issue must be dubious to us. Doubtless God hath holy ends in keeping his Servants in suspense; however, they are to do their work, without any demur. Ezekiel must deliver his Message, ⟨p. 248⟩whether the people will hear or forbear.

8. There are none that know whether God will give his blessing to, or with-hold it from their utmost endeavours. If he do afford it, their labour shall be succeeded, if he restrain it, sinners will remain impenitent under all. This God hath kept as a secret with himself; and therefore all our endeavours must needs be under uncertainties, and the issue must be dubious to us. Doubtless God hath holy ends in keeping his Servants in suspense; however, they are to do their work, without any demurr. Ezekiel must deliver his Message, ⟨p. 248⟩whether the people will hear or forbear.

:562p. 248¶2

2. Here is a doubt which calls for some resolution, viz. Is it not matter of great discouragement on the spirits of Godly men to labour under such uncertainties, or what is it that […] animate them to their work.

2. Here is a doubt which calls for some resolution, viz. Is it not matter of great discouragement on the spirits of Godly men to labour under such uncertainties, or what is it that 〈…〉 animate them to their work.

:563p. 248

A. Flesh and Blood may possibly take discouragement at it, and be ready to think, what shall I lose all my labour, and possibly, instead of bringing men to Christ, and Salvation, make them worse, and increase their condemnation? but Grace will teach us other lessons. Here then let these few things be considered for our satisfaction in this point.

A. Flesh and Blood may possibly take discouragement at it, and be ready to think, what shall I lose all my labour, and possibly, instead of bringing men to Christ, and Salvation, make them worse, and encrease their condemnation? but Grace will teach us other lessons. Here then let these few things be considered for our satisfaction in this point.

:564p. 248–249¶1

1. That there is all reason that God should have the sovereign disposal of his won gifts. That he be acknowledged to be supreme, and arbitrary in his dispensing of himself to the children of men, must needs be his indisputable prerogative, who shall find fault with him for doing with his own what he will? if •e should have left all the whole race of man kind in their natural estate, and bestowed his grace upon none of them, there would have been no ground for […] •ind fault with him, or lay any […] to his charge; for all were forfeited, and fallen into his hands, and liable to his revenge; if then he will give his special favours to some ⟨p. 249⟩and not to others, and that according to his own pleasure, without acquainting us with the reason of it, it concerns not us to dispute, or make any demur in our thoughts about it: the highest reason, and ultimate resolution of these things, which ought to set us down satisfied, is, what if God will, Rom. 9. 22.

1. That there is all reason that God should have the soveraign disposal of his won gifts. That he be acknowledged to be supream, and arbitrary in his dispensing of himself to the children of men, must needs be his indisputable prerogative, who shall find fault with him for doing with his own what he will? if •e should have left all the whole race of man kind in their natural estate, and bestowed his grace upon none of them, there would have been no ground for 〈…〉 •ind fault with him, or lay any 〈…〉 to his charge; for all were forfeited, and fallen into his hands, and lyable to his revenge; if then he will give his special favours to some ⟨p. 249⟩and not to others, and that according to his own pleasure, without acquainting us with the reason of it, it concerns not us to dispute, or make any demurr in our thoughts about it: the highest reason, and ultimate resolution of these things, which ought to set us down satisfied, is, what if God will,

:565p. 249–250¶2

2, That every Christian is under an indispensable duty in his place, to endeavour all that he can to promove the salvation of others. Ministers in their place, Parents in their place Governors in theirs, and neighbours in theirs: this is a general duty that influenceth every relation that men […] according to the different manner […] it is to be attended: and this is […] lay men under strong engagements […] •••• vour it to the utmost; considering that otherwise they will bring themselves under guilt, […] not be able to answer it unto God, […] •e shall call them to an account about it. For men to take any discouragement in a known duty, is to hearken to Satan's temptation, and to provoke God to anger against them. Though success be a great encouragement in duty, yet that which firstly ought to engage the conscience of one that fears God, is that it is his will. Duty is our part, success is his, we may desire it, and ought to pray for it; but when we have ⟨p. 250⟩done all, we must leave it with him, Ezek. 9. 11.

2, That every Christian is under an indispensible duty in his place, to endeavour all that he can to promove the salvation of others. Ministers in their place, Parents in their place Governours in theirs, and neighbours in theirs: this is a general duty that influenceth every relation that men 〈…〉 according to the different manner 〈…〉 it is to be attended: and this is 〈…〉 lay men under strong engagements 〈…〉 •••• vour it to the utmost; considering that otherwise they will bring themselves under guilt, 〈…〉 not be able to answer it unto God, 〈…〉 •e shall call them to an account about it. For men to take any discouragement in a known duty, is to hearken to Satans temptation, and to provoke God to anger against them. Though success be a great encouragement in duty, yet that which firstly ought to engage the conscience of one that fears God, is that it is his will. Duty is our part, success is his, we may desire it, and ought to pray for it; but when we have

:566p. 250¶3

3. That this uncertainty carries motive in it to do duty to all. As we do not know that we shall prevail with them, when we have done all; but that they may continue in their impenitency; so on the other hand, we do not know but that we may be instrumental of doing them good, that which carnal reason takes discouragement from, that grace encourageth it self by. I am sure it is an argument which the spirit of God makes use of to animate us to this constancy, Eccl. 11. 6. If we did certainly know that such an one would grow worse by all, and at last perish after he had used utmost endeavours with him for his salvation, this would make us to despair, and that would quite dishearten us from doing our duty; but as long as we know not what the event shall be, we now fetch our encouragement to obey Gods Precept from the precept it self under which we are, and so commit it to the Providence of God with humble submission: as becomes us.

:567p. 250–251¶4

4. There is a great deal of Hope notwithstanding this uncertainty. Hope is the spring of action; it is that which thrusts men forward into all their business. Thus it is done in the world, and in the management of all the affairs of this life, men go upon it. The Husbandman sows in hope; the Merchant adventures his Estate to manifold perils in hope; there is no assurance in these things; all that they can say, is, if God ⟨p. 251⟩wills it shall prosper; and they withal observe that this is the way in which the Providence of God is to be served, and unto which he is wont ordinarily to give his blessing. Now there is as good hope here: God is pleased to convert sinners by the use of means; it is the way that he hath appointed for it, it is not therefore impossible but that he may give his blessing to our endeavours, and make them to succeed; nay, it is very probable, that if he makes us diligent and earnest, he doth intend to give us the desired success: the Word of God gives us as much encouragement to this, as to any thing else, and more too.

4. There is a great deal of Hope notwithstanding this uncertainty. Hope is the spring of action; it is that which thrusts men forward into all their business. Thus it is done in the world, and in the management of all the affairs of this life, men go upon it. The Husbandman sows in hope; the Merchant adventures his Estate to manifold perils in hope; there is no assurance in these things; all that they can say, is, if God ⟨p. 251⟩wills it shall prosper; and they withal observe that this is the way in which the Providence of God is to be served, and unto which he is wont ordinarily to give his blessing. Now there is as good hope here: God is pleased to convert sinners by the use of means; it is the way that he hath appointed for it, it is not therefore impossible but that he may give his blessing to our endeavours, and make them to succed; nay, it is very probable, that if he makes us diligent and earnest, he doth intend to give us the desired success: the Word of God gives us as much encouragement to this, as to any thing else, and more too.

:568p. 251–252¶5

5. That if these endeavours do succeed, we are well paid for all our labour. The joy and comfort of it, will give us abundant satisfaction. If we may but save a Soul from going to the pit, if we may but win a sinner over unto Christ, and be instrumental of bri••ing him in unto him, that he may have service from him we shall never think much of any thing that we have done for the obtaining of it: All these travailing pains are now forgotten, for the joy that there is one born to Christ, who shall serve him here, and live with him for ever. If the honour of God be very dear, and the Souls of sinners very precious to us, this will be our joy. and our triumph both now, and in the day of Christs and the very hopes and forethoughts ⟨p. 252⟩of it are enough to put life into our endeavours.

:569p. 252¶6

6. But supposing that we should fail in our desires and hopes on this account, we shall be no losers still. Our labour shall not be in vain in the Lord. It will indeed be our present grief and bitterness of heart, but we shall not lose our recompense. The rewards which God bestows upon his people, are not according to the success, but according to their integrity and faithful industry. If we pray for the conversion of these or those, & they be not converted, Our prayers shall return into our own bosoms, if we take pains with them and all com•• to nothing as •o them, but seems to be as water spilt on the ground, yet God will not forget our labour of love, but will remember us in the day of Recompense: with this Christ comforts himself, Isa. 49. •.

:570p. 252

USE. I.

:571p. 252–253

This may serve to caution us against carnal confidence on the one hand, and despair on the other. This caution concerns all these whose business it is to endeavour the conversion of sinners unto God; these are two dangerous rocks that we must carefully steer between ⟨p. 253⟩if we would keep a right course in this duty.

Reformers309

Puritans1,782

Westminster Assembly24

Evangelicals36

USE. I.