The Figless Fig Tree, Title page – Dedications
THE Figg-leſs Figg-Tree: OR, THE DOOME OF A Barren and Unfruitful Profeſſion LAY'D OPEN. IN AN EXPOSITION UPON THAT PARABLE: A Certain Man had a Figg-Tree Planted in his Vineyard, &c. Luke 13. 6, 7, 8, 9, 10.
By Nehemiah Rogers, a Miniſter of the Goſpel of Chriſt.
Now learn a Parable of the Figg-Tree,
Math. 24.32.
LONDON, Printed by J. S. for George Sawbridge, and are to be ſold at the Signe of the Bible on Lud-Gate Hill, 1659.
THE Epiſtle Dedicatory.
To the Worſhipful and Religious Gentleman, Mr. Thomas Roberts, of Little-Braxſted in Eſſex.
The Continuation and Encreaſe of all needfull Bleſſings in this Life, and eternal Life hereafter.
Good Sir,
THe Roman Orator tells us, Quod exemplo fit, jure fieri putamus; There are few Writers (humane or Divine) but they entitle their Labours, intended for Publique, to ſome particular Perſon whom they make choyce of, either to Pattonize their Perſons and Works, (in which Caſe Wiſdome directs them to ſome Learned Mecoenas, one of high Place, and eminent Parts and Power; who is able to ſhelter them from the malice of carping Momus); Or to teſtifie thankfulneſſe, for ſome ſpecial benefit received: (and in that Caſe diſcretion guides them to pitch their thoughts on ſome ſingular Benefactor). The Community of the Act, may plead an Immunity for my Action, in going the common road of Writters. Yet I cloſe not with thoſe who crave Protection; there is no need of that: for if it be Truth that I Preach and Print, it is God's, and needs no other Protector: If it be Error, all the Powers under Heaven are unable to ſupport it: That I aim principally at, in my Dedications, is, The Teſtification of a thankful heart, to thoſe, from whom I have received undeſerved kindneſſe; And in the number of thoſe, ſhould I forget you, I ſhould forget my ſelf.
To you Sir, I am many wayes obliged, for your abundant favours, & fruits of love, really expreſſed, even then, when it pleaſed God moſt to darken my outward Eſtate. For three years ſpace I moſt comfortably enjoyed my Miniſtery, (through Gods goodneſs and Yours,) in that Pariſh where you now Dwell; all which time, I found your houſe to be both to me and mine, as the houſe of Oneſiphorus was to Paul, a houſe of great refreſhment;2 Tim. 1.16. The ſhadow of your Trees was to me, as Jonah his Gourd was to him,Jon. 4. very comfortable; but it pleaſed God to prepare a worme (what worme I will not ſay, but it went under the notion of an unknown Friend) which did ſmite my Gourd, and ſo gnaw the Stalk of my Shrowd, that it ſoon withered, to my grief.
I, wanting thoſe means (whereby the World doth uſually teſtifie their thankfullneſſe to their Benefactors) deſire by this outward evidence, to give evidence to the World, of the inward diſpoſition of my heart, in preſenting to you, and ſending forth under your name, this Fruitleſſe Figg-Tree: The Title promiſeth little, yet, I hope under the Leaves thereof you will find ſome Fruit that will pleaſe your Religious palate.
I cannot doubt, but that, as you were a Religious Hearer of ſomething of mine, that hath formerly paſt the Preſſe, (which, in tranſitu, as it was paſſing by, you called in, and gave it friendly entertainment), ſo you will be a profitable Reader of this, and give it Houſe-room and Heart-room; and ſeeing it comes unto you, under your own name, it will be a welcome Gueſt unto you. And my poor Prayers ſhall accompany it, and follow you:
The Lord ſo aſſiſt you with his Grace, that by this, and all other good means, you may grow from Grace to Grace; that ſo perfecting your Sanctification in the fear of God, you may be made perfect in every good work, to do his will; working in you that which is well-pleaſing in his ſight, through Jeſus Chriſt our Lord, Amen. Thus prayes he, who is
Most obliged to you in the bonds of Thankfullneſſe. Nehemiah Rogers. Dodding-Hurſt, Novemb. 1. 1659.
and To the Pious and Religious Gentlewoman Mrs. Dorothy Roberts, his Vertuous and Worthy Wife.
The Continuation and Encreaſe of all needfull Bleſſings in this Life, and eternal Life hereafter.
Good Mrs. Roberts,
THere is no Monument ſo laſting,2 Tim. 1.5. to perpetuate the memory of godly Parents, and make them to ſurvive after Death, as is the godlineſſe of the Child: Solomon brings in the Children of the Vertuous Woman, ſpreading of her praiſe; They ariſe up, and call her Bleſſed, Prov. 31.28. which is not to be reſtrained to a Verbal praiſe, given by Children to Parents whilſt they live, (for that may proceed (as many times it doth) from ſelf-love and flattery); but it is principally to be underſtood, of an Actuall and Real praiſing of her, both Living and Dead): which is done; when thoſe ſhining vertues of Modesty and Humility, and other Graces that were in the Parent, appear in the Child, and proclaimes the Piety and care of the Mother in their Education.
Your Mother,Mrs. Pert. (now with God) was a Godly and Religious Matron, (whom, for her more then ordinary endowments, both of Nature and Grace, I honoured whilſt ſhe lived, and cannot but gladly make mention of, being Dead); She had alwayes a great care of her Childrens Religious bringing up;John, Epiſt. 3. and her joy was greater to hear, and ſee, that they walked in the Truth, then that they enjoyed fair Eſtates, and large Poſſeſſions in this World. I need not embalme her, being Dead with my Report, who living, was ſo well reported of by all that truly knew her, and the grace of God that was in her; and now being dead, yet liveth in the godly Converſation of her Children (both Sons and Daughters) who manifeſt the fruit of their religious Education, by ſuch a Converſation as becometh godlineſſe.
Should I ſpeak of thoſe excellent Parts that God hath bin pleaſed to endow you withall, your Modeſty would not like it, and thoſe that are not well acquainted with you, would think I flatter, (but that is beneath my Calling, and above my Skill). This I may truly ſay (without flattery), that God hath enriched you with that which is more precious then Gold, A true and lively Faith, accompanied with the grace of Knowledge, the Government of Temperance, the Ornament of a meek and quiet Spirit, the ſupport of Patience, the Splendor of Humility; ſo that whilſt you live, your Mother is not dead: and albeit, God hath not given you a fruitfull Womb, yet he hath blest you with a fruitfull Heart; inſomuch, as that which the Prophet ſpeaks, may in a good ſenſe be applyed unto you: The Deſolate ſhall have more Children then the marryed.Iſa. 54.…1.
To my ſelf in Particular,2 King. 4.10. you have bin like that godly Shunamite to Eliſha; you have joyned as a Partner with your Huſband, in his love and bounty, providing Light and Lodging, Houſe-room and Frying, and other neceſſaries fitting for an Eliſha: and therefore I make bold to joyn you with him in this Dedication, craving the like acceptance from you as from him. And I ſhall put up this prayer to Heaven, both for you and for him:
The Lord ſo aſſiſt you with his Grace, that by this, and all other good means, you may grow from Grace to Grace; that ſo perfecting your Sanctification in the fear of God, you may be made perfect in every good work, to do his will; working in you that which is well-pleaſing in his ſight, through Jeſus Chriſt our Lord, Amen. Thus prayes he, who is
Most obliged to you in the bonds of Thankfullneſſe. Nehemiah Rogers. Dodding-Hurſt, Novemb. 1. 1659.