Evils of Barrennejfi. 13 neffe of Hanna gave Peninna occafion to infult over her : this caufeth our profeffion to be traduced, and the name of ' Go.l to (Zom.z. Z4. be blafphemed. 2 Barrenneffe is unprofitable : A barren tree miniflreth no profit, it loth but cumber the ground ; barren Chriftians are Luke, i3 8. unferviceable to God,pefter and cumber the Church wherein tfley live. 3 Barrennefíe grieveth : The barren Wife grieveth the Husband, the barren tree grieveth the keeper of the Orchard a barren people grieveth the faithfull and painfnll Minifler, whom the Lord hath fet as a .Shepheard over then : this pained Paul as a woman in travel! , occafìoned Jeremy, through the anguifh and trouble of his fpirit, to curie the day of his birth, and wrought fo forcibly with Eliah, that he grew weary of his life, and wished for death rather then King 19,4. life. 4 'Barrenneffe Joyleth the foule of much fweet and hea- venly peace, boldneffe, comfort and confidence. Doth the Mailer fmile or elfe frowne upon the unprofitable fervant can fuck a fervant come before his Matter with confidence, with affurance of acceptance ? dóth he not hang downe the head ? is he not afhamed ? is not his confidence removed farre from him ? When Adam was naked, he ran from the Gen.3. pretence of the Lord When the foules of men within are naked of grace, and the lives of men without are naked of good workes, they have no courage, no comfort, no bold neffe to prefent themfelves before the Lord. 5 Barrenneffe provoketh : The barren field angreth the Husbandman, the barren Tree mentioned in the Gofpell difpleafed our Saviour when he fought Fruit and found Mat.ai.iS, -none on it. Chrift hungred, defired much to tafle of the 19. -fweet Grapes of Faith, Repentance, Love, Thankfulneffe, which fhould have been brought forth by the Jewes, a Vine of his Fathers owne planting, once a.Vine of many goodly branches, the Patriachs, Mores, the Prophets ; a Vine loaden with many fweet Grapes, but now there was nothing but leaves on it ; a glorious profeffìon, a formall performance of Religious duties, much vaunting and boafling that they were Gal.q.r9. ier.2o.rg.
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