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

Consider 2. That many hearers of the Word are altogether unprofitable. Yea, the most by far are so; so we read in Mat. 13. concerning four sorts of ground, & but one of them good; that is to say, four sorts of hearers of the Word, and there are three to one that are bad. Oh, how should this awaken! And alas, if we look into the World we shall find, that indeed it is thus: As it was said of Ephraim, that he was an empty Vine, that brought forth fruit unto himself; thus it is with many, yea, with the most of men, nay of Professors, they bring forth fruit to themselves, to the World, to Satan, but not to God. How is it with many of you? you have leaves and that's all, even Profession without Practice; others of you, you bring forth the fruit of Morality and Civility, & that's all; you bless your selves that you are no Drunkards, no Adulterers, no Swearers; but I beseech you consider, Morality and Civility alone, is no saving Evangelical work; you may have this, and yet fall short of that fruit which the Gospel requireth: There are others, that instead of good, they bring forth evil fruit, even Thorns and Briers. Are there not lamentable Divisions and Contentions amongst us? such fruit is, Thorns and Briers. ⟨p. 81⟩Behold, the Lord hath planted a Vineyard amongst us? Psal. 80.8.9 &c. may marvellously be applied unto us: God hath brought us as a Vine out of Egypt, he hath cast out the Heathen, and hath planted us, he hath caused this vine to fill the Land But alas for us! we have been an unfruitful Vine; How may the Lord complain against us, as against his people of old, Isa. 5.2. He looked that it should bring forth grapes, and it brought forth wild grapes: So hath it been with us, wild grapes have been brought forth, Profaneness Drunkenness, Uncleanness, Swearing, Unlawful Gaming, &c. Oh, how may we tremble to think what God will do.

Consider 2. That many hearers of the Word are altogether unprofitable. Yea, the most by far are so; so we read in Mat. 13. concerning four sorts of ground, & but one of them good; that is to say, four sorts of hearers of the Word, and there are three to one that are bad. Oh, how should this awaken! And alas, if we look into the World we shall find, that indeed it is thus: As it was said of Ephraim, that he was an empty Vine, that bro't forth fruit unto himself; thus it is with many, yea, with the most of men, nay of Professors, they bring forth fruit to themselves, to the World, to Satan, but not to God. How is it with many of you? you have leaves and that's all, even Profession without Practice; others of you, you bring forth the fruit of Morality and Civility, & that's all; you bless your selves that you are no Drunkards, no Adulterers, no Swearers; but I beseech you consider, Morality and Civility alone, is no saving Evangelical work; you may have this, and yet fall short of that fruit which the Gospel requireth: There are others, that instead of good, they bring forth evil fruit, even Thorns and Bryers. Are there not lamentable Divisions and Contentions amongst us? such fruit is, Thorns and Bryers.