Sermons preached before his MajestySermons preached before his Maiestie

I answer, that they may, and it is well, these things are very good and commendable, and not to be omitted: but yet there is something must be added; for this is not enough, except we be nourished by these duties, and grow by them; as you know it is said, 1 Peter 2. Desire the sincere milk of the word, that you may grow thereby; and as your common saying is, Show me not the meat, but the man. For Christ the great Shepherd of the sheep is affected in this case, as shepherds are wont to be, that say not to the sheep, show me the hay that I have given you, but show me the lac & lanam, the wool and the milk; that is, show me the fruits and the effects ⟨p. 39⟩of all your hearing, and praying: for a man may be conversant in all these duties, and yet for want of life, and for want of a digestive faculty within, that is, not turning them to blood and spirits, he may not be nourished, he may not grow and be strengthened by them, but be as a man in an atrophy, that cates very much, and yet is as lean and meagre as if he had eat nothing. Of such the Scripture saith, They have a name to live, but are dead: And they are alway learning, but never come to the knowledge of the truth, that is, to the saving knowledge of it.

I answer, that they may, and it is well, these things are very good and commendable, and not to bee omitted: but yet there is something must be added; for this is not enough, except we bee nourished by these dueties, and grow by them; as you know it is said, 1 Peter 2. Desire the sincere milke of the word, that you may grow thereby; and as your common saying is, Shew me not the meat, but the man. For Christ the great Shepheard of the sheepe is affected in this case, as shepheards are wont to be, that say not to the sheepe, shew me the hay that I have given you, but shew me the lac & lanam, the woole and the milke; that is, shew me the fruits and the effects ⟨p. 39⟩of all your hearing, and praying: for a man may bee conversant in all these dueties, and yet for want of life, and for want of a digestive facultie within, that is, not turning them to bloud and spirits, hee may not be nourished, hee may not grow and be strengthened by them, but be as a man in an atrophie, that cates verie much, and yet is as leane and meager as if he had eate nothing. Of such the Scripture saith, They have a name to live, but are dead: And they are alway learning, but never come to the knowledge of the truth, that is, to the saving knowledge of it.