Barren trees
How can you possibly evade the force of our Lord's words? So full, so strong, so express? How can you evade knowing yourselves by your fruits? Evil fruits of evil trees! And how should it be otherwise! Do men gather grapes from thorns or figs from thistles (Matthew 7:16)? Take this to yourselves, you to whom it belongs. O you barren trees, why do you encumber the ground (Luke 13:7)? Every good tree brings forth good fruit. Do you not see that here is no exception? Take knowledge then: you are not good trees, for you do not bring forth good fruit. But a corrupt tree brings forth evil fruit. And so have you done from the beginning. Your speaking as from God has only confirmed those who heard you in the tempers, if not works, of the devil. O take warning from him in whose name you speak, before the sentence he has pronounced takes place. Every tree which does not bring forth good fruit is hewn down and cast into the fire (Matthew 7:19).
1771 text
13. How can you possibly evade the force of our Lord’s words? So full, so strong, so express? How can ye evade knowing yourselves by your fruits? Evil fruits of evil trees! And how should it be otherwise! Do men gather grapes of thorns or figs of thistles? Take this to yourselves, ye to whom it belongs. *O ye barren trees, why cumber ye the ground? Every good tree bringeth forth good fruit. See ye not, that here is no exception? Take knowledge then, ye are not good trees: for ye do not bring forth good fruit. But a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. And so have ye done from the beginning. Your speaking as from God has only confirmed them that heard you, in the tempers, if not works, of the devil. O take warning of him in whose name ye speak, before the sentence he hath pronounced take place. Every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down and cast into the fire.
About this text
Rendered in modern English, to be read and heard. Open the 1771 text under each part to check the claims and the scripture.
Rendered in modern English. The 1771 panel is his own Pine printing of the Works. It is public domain.
Catalogue & scope
Sermon 32 in the 1771 Works. Matthew 7:15-20.
This is an AI-assisted study translation. Source fidelity and completeness have not been independently certified. It is not a complete critical edition.