Sermon 16

The second supposition now comes under our consideration, together with the issue proposed by the Vine-dresser. The thing that is supposed is, that after all is done, this fig-tree may not bear: he does not know that it will, nor dares he to engage that it shall; only he offers this conclusion, then after this you may cut it down. Q. d. Excision is the last thing, let therefore all other ways be tried with it, before it comes to that, and if at last they appear to fail, that may be done after all: the tree will be where it was, and vengeance may fall upon it when it appears desperate: and there is something more in it than this, namely, he does tacitly make a promise, that if all these essays shall come to nothing, and it still abides to be barren, he will no more interpose or speak one word for it. Our Savior's design in this is to show, what final impenitence under the means of repentance will bring men to: it is to verify the truth of what he asserts, verse 3. except you repent, you shall all likewise perish. Some sinners have more of severity used with them, others are the subjects of more patience, and thereupon they are ready to insult over these, and be carnally confident of themselves: but he lets us here [illegible], that though some be longer going to the pit than others, yet they arrive there at the last, as well as they that made the shortest cut to it: and this is to make men afraid of withstanding the offers of grace that are made to them in the day of it. Hence,