Filter authors and titles

N00458:565

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]

: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, Rom. 9. 22.

: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.

:572p. 253¶1

1. Beware of carnal confidence. Let us not make too large and positive promises to ourselves with respect of our labour: let us not say and conclude, that because we find our hearts to be mightily carried out for the good of them whom we have to do withal, so as to make us unweariedly industrious with them, and to use all manner of endeavours that we are capable of; that therefore they must needs be converted, as if by our own grace or industry we were able to do it in and for them; or as if by our care we had obliged God to a necessity of doing it for us, upon our laying ourselves out; this is a carnal conclusion, and it flows from ignorance, and pride, and presumption, and it thereupon offers unto God no little provocation, to withdraw his blessing, and so to disappoint our expectation lest otherwise we should be lifted up with self-applause, and burn incense to our own not, and so rob him of the honour of his work.

1. Beware of carnbal confidence. Let us not make too large and positive promises to ourselves with respect of our labour: let us not say and conclude, that because we find our hearts to be mightily carried out for the good of them whom we have to do withal, so as to make us unweariedly industrious with them, and to use all manner of endeavours that we are capable of; that therefore they must needs be converted, as if by our own grace or industry we were able to do it in and for them; or as if by our care we had obliged God to a necessity of doing it for us, upon our laying ourselves out; this is a carnal conclusion, and it flows from ignorance, and pride, and presumption, and it thereupon offers unto God no little provocation, to withdraw his blessing, and so to disappoint our expectation lest otherwise we should be lifted up with self-applause, and burn inodnse to our own not, and so rob him of the honour of his work.

:573p. 253–254¶2

2. And let us avoid despair of doing good▪ what-ever seeming discouragements there may be before us, what though a great deal of the pains which we have taken seems to be lost, and sinners are as far from being fruitful as ever; nay, they grow worse, and more rooted in their wicked courses; what ⟨p. 254⟩though we have tried all the ways that we can think of with them, and all seems to do them no good, but rather hurt; yet let not this make us to cast off our endeavours, to despond and to say it is in vain for us to do any thing more, but let us say as Peter did to Christ, Luk. 5. 5. we have toiled all the •ight and taken nothing: nevertheless at thy […] I will let down the net. We cannot be […] that the time is past, or that this sin••• […] not be still turned unto God; he […] it, and for ought we know he will […] it may be at the next throwing out […] will come into the net, and be ta•••

2. And let us avoid despair of doing good▪ what-ever seeming discouragements there may be before us, what though a great deal of the pains which we have taken seems to be lost, and sinners are as far from being fruitful as ever; nay, they grow worse, and more rooted in their wicked courses; what ⟨p. 254⟩though we have tried all the ways that we can think of with them, and all seems to do them no good, but rather hurt; yet let not this make us to cast off our endeavours, to despond and to say it is in vain for us to do any thing more, but let us say as Peter did to Christ, Luk. 5. 5. we have toiled all the •ight and taken nothing: nevertheless at thy 〈…〉 I will let down the net. We cannot be 〈…〉 that the time is past, or that this sin••• not be still turned unto God; he it, and for ought we know he will it may be at the next throwing out will come into the net, and be ta

:574p. 254

USE. II.

:575p. 254–255

This Doctrine tells us that it is no good Rule to judge of mens fidelity by their success. It is a thing which is too much practised among men; but the truth in hand will convince us how not only uncharitable, but also how ungrounded a conclusion it is, for, if men are but instruments in Gods hand, and used by him at his mere pleasure, to do what work he sees meet to do by them, and have no certainty of the efficacy of their endeavours; then, for others to say, that because there is not such fruit of their labours as ⟨p. 255⟩were to be desired, therefore they believe no• at all or are not industrious, or sincere in what they do, is a very censorious inference: that, because such a Minister brings name more souls to Christ, than such another doth, therefore this man is not so faithful or so painful as he: because this parent hath towardly & hopeful Children, & that other hath such as are rebellious, and Scandalous, therefore he is careless and negligent of them, is a conclusion which the premises will not prove. It is indeed a duty for every man to examine himself; and such events have great motive in them, to put them upon it, the more Solemnly to enquire, if such a Providence be not a punishment of such a neglect, and if they discover it, to bewail and reform it; but that is must needs be so, is contrary to the evidence of the Doctrine, and a placing of too much upon men.

This Doctrine tells us that it is no good Rule to judge of mens fidelity by their success. It is a thing which is too much practised among men; but the truth in hand will convince us how not only uncharitable, but also how ungrounded a conclusion it is, for, if men are but instruments in Gods hand, and used by him at his meer pleasure, to do what work he sees meet to do by them, and have no certainty of the efficacy of their endeavours; then, for others to say, that because there is not such fruit of their labours as ⟨p. 255⟩were to be desired, therefore they believe no• at all or are not industrious, or sincere in what they do, is a very censorious inference: that, because such a Minister brings name more souls to Christ, than such another doth, therefore this man is not so faithful or so painful as he: because this parent hath towardly & hopeful Children, & that other hath such as are rebellious, and Scandalous, therefore he is careless and negligent of them, is a conclusion which the premises will not prove. It is indeed a duty for every man to examine himself; and such events have great motive in them, to put them upon it, the more Solemnly to enquire, if such a Providence be not a punishment of such a neglect, and if they discover it, to bewail and reform it; but that is must needs be so, is contrary to the evidence of the Doctrine, and a placing of too much upon men.

:576p. 255

USE III.

:577p. 255

This truth also affords us a word of warning, to beware of negligence and boasting. Both of these we are too prone to, and either of them will certainly do us damage.

Reformers309

Puritans1,782

Westminster Assembly24

Evangelicals36

USE. I.

USE. II.

USE III.