Besides, this ministry doth not only
search the heart, but presenteth the sinner with the golden rays of
the glorious gospel: now is Christ Jesus set forth evidently, now is
grace displayed sweetly; now, now are the promises broken, like
boxes of ointment, to the perfuming of the whole room. But alas,
there is yet no fruit on this fig-tree. While his heart is searched,
he wrangles; while the glorious grace of the gospel is unveiled,
this professor wags and is wanton, gathers up some scraps thereof,
tastes the good word of God and the power of the world to come,
drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon him, but bringeth not
forth fruit meet for him whose gospel it is; takes no heed to walk
in the law of the Lord God of Israel with all his heart, but
counteth that the glory of the gospel consisteth in talk and show,
and that our obedience thereto is a matter of speculation--that good
works lie in good words, and if men can finely talk, they may think
they bravely please God. He thinks the kingdom of God consisteth
only in word, not in power; and thus proves ineffectual this fourth
means also.
Well, now the axe begins to be heaved higher, for now indeed God is
ready to smite the sinner: yet before he will strike the stroke, he
will try one way more at last; and if that misseth, down goes the
fig-tree.
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