N00458:560
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.
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,