N00458:656
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. Think how long you have already resisted the Spirit of God. Although he hath not told sinners how long he will tarry waiting upon them; yet he hath said that it shall not be always, and that is enough to put upon you thoughtfulness: it is good to compute the time that you have had, and is past by you, so many years forbearance, so many strivings with your Souls in them, so often addresses made to you with the tenders of his Grace; all this saith unto the sinner, that his day is wearing up apace, and that it will not be long ere it be spent. And there is reason also to fear, that the […] of means have bin used with you, and the more earnest persuasions have been pressed upon you, the shorter time you are like to have; because such urgent strivings and importunities, are ⟨p. 298⟩a declaration that God is in haste.
1. Think how long you have already resisted the Spirit of God. Although he hath not told sinners how long he will tarry waiting upon them; yet he hath said that it shall not be always, and that is enough to put upon you thoughtfulness: it is good to compute the time that you have had, and is past by you, so many years forbearance, so many strivings with your Souls in them, so often addresses made to you with the tenders of his Grace; all this saith unto the sinner, that his day is wearing up apace, and that it will not be long ere it be spent. And there is reason also to fear, that the 〈…〉 of means have bin used with you, and the more earnest perswasions have been pressed upon you, the shorter time you are like to have; because such urgent strivings and importunities, are ⟨p. 298⟩a declaration that God is in haste.
2. Think what an Holy God you have to do withal. Never cheat your selves into a vain opinion, that because he is a merciful God, therefore you shall do well enough with him; how may thousands are there now ruing that fully in the place of Torments? you are in all these transactions concerned with a God who will not always be trifled with; and who will not suffer sinners to tread upon his honour, or cast contempt upon his glory, without calling of them to a severe account for it, and making them to feel the smart of it: if therefore you will not serve him, he will honour himself upon you; but how little will that be to your comfort.