Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
Ver. 19. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit, &c.] Fruitless trees are cut down to the fire. Short shooting loseth many a game. The idle servant is delivered to the tormentors; and unsavoury salt is cast out to be trodden on, as Ecebolius was. The barren earth "is nigh to cursing, whose end is to be burned," Hebrews 6:8. Pure gold discovers deadly poison. For there will sparkle out of the cup certain rainbows, as it were, and there will be heard, saith one, a fiery hissing of the gold thrusting out the poison. Whereby is signified, saith he, that God threateneth judgment and hell fire to those that corrupt and poison heavenly doctrine. See more of this above, Matthew 3:10. Let us study and strive to resemble the tree of Paradise, that was fair to the eye and good to eat; and that tree of life, Revelation 22:2, that bringeth forth every month, twelve manner of fruits, &c, And those trees, Psalms 92:13, that being planted in the house of the Lord, bring forth best fruit in their old age. "I am like a green olive tree," saith David. Our bed is of green cedar, saith the spouse. Ephraim was like a green fir tree, fat and sappy, &c., Psalms 52:8; Son 1:16-17 Hosea 14:8. Barrenness is no less a fault than ill fruit.