The Figless Fig Tree, To the reader – Parable Luke 13
TO The Reader. And more Particularly, to my welbeloved, the Congregation of Dodding-Hurſt in Eſſex.
Good Reader,
IN the Cloſure of my Expoſition upon that Parable of a Friend going to his Friend at Mid-night, Luke 11.5. &c. I intimated my intent to go on, in the next place, with that enſuing Parable, of a Son asking Bread of his Father, Luke 11. verſe 11. &c. But this, (as thou ſeeſt) is ſtept into the World before it: Yet know, that it is upon the birth, albeit, as yet, there is no ſtrength to bring it forth: I doubt not, but with God's aſſiſtance, thou ſhalt ſee, The Father's bleſſing to attend both on this, and that before mentioned.
To you that have bin Hearers (in part or whole) of what is now ſet forth, I ſhall uſe the words of St. Paul, To write the ſame things to you, which you before have heard, to me it is not grievous, Phil. 3.1.but for you it is ſafe: For to uſe the words of St. Peter, In this that I now write unto you, I ſtirr up your pure mindes by way of remembrance. 2 Pet. 3.2.The beſt of us are dull to conceive, hard to believe, apt to forget, and ſlow to practiſe: Let our minds be never ſo pure, yet there is great need of ſtirring up: Dead Aſhes we ſtirr not up, but Embers, that be warm, to reenkindle the live-coals that lye hid under them: When we lay on green wood, we blow the fire, and do not ſtirr it; when dry, we ſtirr the fire, and need not blow it: Proſelytes ſtand in need of kindling; well-improved Chriſtians of ſtirring up, and quickening. And ſuch I truſt you are, (if you be not, it is your ſhame:) God hath bleſſed you with the means for many years together; and, through the Religious care of worthy and conſcionable Patrons and Patroneſſes,Dodding-Hurſt. (for which this Place and Pariſh above many other have great cauſe of thankfulneſſe) there hath bin a ſucceſſion of godly and painfull Paſtors, who have bin ſet over you, to watch for your Souls; whoſe Labours God hath ſo bleſſed, that there is not (for any thing that I yet perceive at preſent) any Faction or Fraction amongſt you: No Papiſt, Anabaptiſt, Quaker; nor any ſuch like Schiſmatique: you live in amity and peace one wi…h the other (generally); which is not ordinary, and, in theſe times, a ſingular mercy. And yet I fear, That charge which the Apoſtle layeth upon the Hebrews, may be layd on ſome of you: when as in regard of the long and plentiful means you have enjoyed, you ought to have bin Teachers (not Publique Preachers,Heb. 5.12. for that you ought not to be, but Teachers) to your Families, and one of another, in private communion; you had need to be taught the first Principles and Fundamentalls of Religion.
It hath pleaſed God to bring me amongſt you, and give me a comfortable Call unto you: For, beſides the Nomination and free Preſentation of me to that Place, by the Godly and Judicious Patron; I was acquainted with the joynt, and unanimous deſire of you all, (which you teſtified under your hands, by way of petition to the Patron, that he would pitch his thoughts upon me), that I might be your Paſtor; This indeed, made me (it being undeſired) much more willing to undertake this Charge, which otherwiſe (I believe) I ſhould hardly have bin drawen unto; And now, having undertaken it, I deſire God's aſſiſtance, and your prayers, that I may be found faithful therein,2 Theſ. 3.1. Phil. 1.9, 10, 11. whilſt it ſhall pleaſe the Lord to continue me amongſt you; And that the Word may have free paſſage, and be glorified in us, and by us, both Miniſter and People: And this I pray that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all Judgment, that you may approve things that are excellent; that you may be ſincere, and without offence till the day of Chriſt, being filled with the fruits of Righteouſneſſe, which are by Jeſus Christ, unto the glory and praiſe of God: I ſhall ſecond my prayers with my beſt endeavours. Read diligently what you have heard, apply conſcionably what you read and hear, and bring forth fruit accordingly: ſo ſhall we one day rejoyce in this (both I and you), that we have not heard in vain, nor laboured in vain.
Dodding-Hurſt. Novemb. 1. 1659. Your Servant for the furtherance of the Salvation of your Souls, Nehemiah Rogers.
The Errata's that have paſt the Preſſe, you ſhall find in the end of the Book.
The Text. Luke, Chap. 13. verſe 6. 7, 8, 9.
Verſe 6. HE ſpake alſo this Parable: A certain man had a Figg-Tree planted in his Vineyard, and he came and ſought Fruit thereon, and found none.
Verſe 7. Then ſaid he to the Dreſſer of his Vineyard; Behold, this three years have I come, and ſought Fruit of this Figg-Tree, and found none; Cut it down, Why cumbereth it the ground?
Verſe 8. And he anſwering ſaid unto him; Lord, let it alone this year alſo, till I ſhall Digg about it and Dung it.
Verſe 9. And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that, thou ſhalt cut it down.