3. But these things are gained by holy men. Would that Jesus would cast a glance upon me still lying under that barren fig-tree, S. John i. 48. and that my fig-tree might also after three years bear fruit. S. Luke xiii. 6 ff. But whence should sinners have so great hope? Would that at least that Gospel dresser of the vineyard, perhaps already bidden to cut down my fig-tree, would let it alone this year also, until he dig about it and dung it, that he may perchance lift the helpless out of the dust, and lift the poor out of the mire. Ps. cxiii. [cxii.] 6. Blessed are they who bind their horses under the vine and olive, Gen. xlix. 11. consecrating the course of their labours to light and joy: the fig-tree, that is, the tempting attraction of the pleasures of the world, still overshadows me, low in height, brittle for working, soft for use, and barren of fruit.