N00458:78
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
Sermon 2 › Doctrine 2: DOCTRINE II. ALL visible Professors are Fig-trees planted in Gods Vineyard.
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.
3. The Figtree requires Husbandry to make its fruit pleasant and profitable. There is vast difference between those that grow wild in the Wilderness, and such as are planted in a Vineyard, and there cultivated; they are neither so fruitful, nor are their fruits comparable. Then is the Fig-tree most like to answer its end, when it is planted in a good Soil, and looked after with suitable care. God doth not expect that from them that are out of the Church, which he doth from these: it is no wonder to see them barren to good works, and bearing of wild unpleasant fruits, but from these better is looked for; and indeed there are none that can please God, or know how to serve him acceptably, but those who are brought under ⟨p. 23⟩the enjoyment of the means of Grace; hence that in Acts 17. 30.
4. The Fig-tree puts forth and bears early. As soon as ever the Spring comes, this is one of the first Trees which by budding and setting, gives evidence to it: it presently receives the influences of Heaven, and shows it self, Mat. 24. 32. God looks for early fruit of those that are of his visible Church; the Professors who are born and brought up under the means, should begin betime to devote themselves to his Service: they should receive impression by all the influences of the means of Grace. God looks that the Children of the Church should Serve him from their Child-hood.
4. The Fig-tree puts forth and bears early. As soon as ever the Spring comes, this is one of the first Trees which by budding and setting, gives evidence to it: it presently receives the influences of Heaven, and shews it self, Mat. 24. 32. God looks for early fruit of those that are of his visible Church; the Professors who are born and brought up under the means, should begin betime to devote themselves to his Service: they should receive impression by all the influences of the means of Grace. God looks that the Children of the Church should Serve him from their Child-hood.