Ah! be assured, as Jesus dealt with nations so will He deal with individuals. This parable-miracle solemnly speaks to all who have only a name to live--the foliage of outward profession--but who are destitute of the "fruits of righteousness." It is not neglecters or despisers--the careless--the infidel--the scorner--our Lord here addresses. He deals with such elsewhere. It is rather vaunting hypocrites--wearing the garb of religion--the trappings and dress of outward devotion to conceal their inward pollution; like the ivy, screening from view by garlands of fantastic beauty--wreaths of loveliest green--the mouldering trunk or loathsome ruin! We may well believe none are more obnoxious to a holy Saviour than _such_. He (Incarnate TRUTH) would rather have the naked stem than the counterfeit blossom. He would rather have no gold than be mocked with tinsel and base alloy! "I _would_," says He, speaking to one of His Churches at a later time, "I would thou wert cold or hot." He would rather a man openly avowed his enmity than that he should come in disguise, with a traitor-heart, among the ranks of His people. Oh that all such ungodly boasters and pretenders would bear in mind, that not only do they inflict harm on themselves, but they do infinite damage to the Church of God. They lower the standard of godliness. Like that worthless Fig-tree, they help to hide out from others the glorious sunlight. They intercept from others the refreshing dews of heaven. They absorb in their leaves the rains as they fall. Many a tuft of tiny moss, many a lowly plant at their feet, is pining and withering, which, _but_ for _them_, would be bathing its tints in sunshine, and filling the air with balmy fragrance!