N00458:613
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.
USE I.
For Caution. Let none from hence presume to delay their returning unto God. There is an evil spirit in men naturally, that leads them to abuse the most precious Truths of the Word of God, and to turn the richest cordials into the most deadly poison. It may be there are some who hearing this Truth, do thereupon say in their hearts, if it be so, we will then allow our selves a while longer in our sinful courses, we will take a little more pleasure in the ways of our hearts, there is no such danger: if at last we bear fruit, we shall do well enough. If there be any that do nourish such an evil root of bitterness in them. I warn you in the name of God to beware to your selves, left it prove your utter destruction. I am sure such inferences lead to desperate conclusions; and if men once come to settle upon them, their condition is next to hopeless; let me therefore urge these two considerations upon such.
For Caution. Let none from hence presume to delay their returning unto God. There is an evil spirit in men naturally, that leads them to abuse the most precious Truths of the Word of God, and to turn the richest cordials into the most deadly poyson. It may be there are some who hearing this Truth, do thereupon say in their hearts, if it be so, we will then allow our selves a while longer in our sinful courses, we will take a little more pleasure in the ways of our hearts, there is no such danger: if at last we bear fruit, we shall do well enough. If there be any that do nourish such an evil root of bitterness in them. I warn you in the name of God to beware to your selves, left it prove your utter destruction. I am sure such inferences lead to desperate conclusions; and if men once come to settle upon them, their condition is next to hopeless; let me therefore urge these two considerations upon such.