Some important truths about conversion, delivered in sundry sermons, / by Increase Mather, D.D.…

and if he find that there's nothing but the leaves of an outward Profession, but no fruits of Saving Faith and Repentance, though they have enjoyed the means of Grace, now the Lord secretly passeth this heavy doom upon such souls, saying, Never let fruit grow upon such a sinner hence forward and forever. He would not ⟨p. 75⟩believe, therefore never let him believe; he would not be converted, therefore never let him be converted.

4. Unprofitable hearers of the Word are in danger of utter ruin, Luke 13.6, 7. A certain man had a Fig-tree planted in his Vineyard; he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none: Then said he to the Dresser of his Vineyard, Behold these three years I come, seek-for fruit on this Fig-tree, but find none, cut it down, why cumbereth it the ground. So that unfruitful hearers of the Word, are in danger to hear that Sentence Cut it down: Inasmuch as they hear Sermons, and yet will not repent and believe, therefore down with them (saith God;) their bodies down to the Grave, and their Souls down to Hell, Down with them! Thus did John Baptist preach to the unfruitful Jews, Mat. 3.10. Every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down. Such Trees such Professors of Religion, as either bring forth no fruit, or nothing but leaves of Profession, or else only evil fruit, shall be hewn down! yea, such are in danger of being cast into Hellfire; therefore John addeth further, and cast into the fire, And this is also expressed in the Text, when it is said, whose end is ⟨p. 76⟩to be burned, that is to say, this is the end, even the event which shall befall such earthly Christians, that they shall be thrown into the fire, which never shall be quenched. You know in some Countries they burn Turf: The earth which is altogether unfruitful, is made use of for fuel; thus doth the Lord say concerning men, either let them be for fruit, or else for fuel. As the Prophet speaketh concerning the Vine tree, (