N00458:615
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.
1. Though if you do bear fruit there is no danger of your final miscarrying, yet there is great danger whether you shall bear or no; if you were as sure of true Repentance at last, as you may be that God will certainly accept of you, if you do indeed turn to him, ⟨p. 274⟩the hazard would be taken off: but the Devil cheats you, by persuading you to draw unwarrantable conclusions from uncertain premises: be then advised to balance this consideration with these two on the other hand.
1. Though if you do bear fruit there is no danger of your final miscarrying, yet there is great danger whether you shall bear or no; if you were as sure of true Repentance at last, as you may be that God will certainly accept of you, if you do indeed turn to him, ⟨p. 274⟩the hazzard would be taken off: but the Devil cheats you, by perswading you to draw unwarrantable conclusions from uncertain premises: be then advised to ballance this consideration with these two on the other hand.
1. The God only can work this change in you. If it were in your power there were the more to be pleaded: If the sinner could turn himself when he pleased, he might be the more bold, but converting grace is the gift of God, if he doth not work it in you, you can never do it for your selves: you can as easily create a world, as put grace into your own hearts, whereby you may live to Gods glory. Now God offers this grace to you, ne now pleads with you about it, he saith, to day, if you will hear his voice; but he hath given you no assurances that he will take your time, or wait your leisure to do this work in and for you.