Hence the Apostle stirs up from the certain 1expectation of a blessing, and this encouragement here from the good issue of final victory is intended to stir us up, and not to take us off, if we be negligent in the exercise of grace received, and use of means prescribed, suffering our spirits to be oppressed with multitudes ⟨p. 185⟩and variety of cares of this life, and take not heed of the damps of the times, for such miscarriage GOD in his wise care suffereth us oft to fall into a worse condition for feeling, than those that were never so much enlightened. Yet in mercy he will not suffer us to be so far enemies to our selves, as wholly to neglect these sparks once kindled, were it possible that we should be given up to give over all endeavour wholly, then we could look for no other issue but quenching. But CHRIST will tend this spark, and cherish ⟨p. 186⟩this small seed so as he will preserve in the soul always some degree of care. If we would make a comfortable use of this, we must consider all those 2means whereby CHRIST doth preserve grace begun, as first, holy communion 3whereby one Christian heateth another: Two are better than one, &c. Did not our hearts burn, said the Disciples? Secondly, Much more communion 4with GOD in holy duties, as Meditation and Prayer, which doth not only kindle, but addeth a lustre to the soul. Thirdly, we feel by experience ⟨p. 187⟩5the breath of the spirit to go along with the ministerial breath, whereupon the Apostle knits these two together, Quench not the Spirit, Despise not Prophesies. Nathan by a few words blew up the decaying sparks in David. Rather than God will suffer his fire in us to dye, he will send some Nathan or other, and some thing always is left in us to join with the word, as connatural to it as a coal that hath fire in it will quickly catch more to it: smoking flax will easily take fire. Fourthly, grace 6is strengthened by the exercise ⟨p. 186⟩[…] ⟨p. 189⟩[…] ⟨p. 188⟩of it, Up and be doing, and the Lord be with thee, saith David to his son Solomon. Stir up the grace that is in thee, for so holy motions turn to resolutions, resolutions to practice, and practice to a prepared readiness to every good work.
Hence the Apostle stirres up from the certain 1expectation of a blessing, and this incouragement here from the good issue of finall victory is intended to stirre us up, and not to take us off, if we bee negligent in the exercise of grace received, and use of meanes prescribed, suffering our spirits to bee oppressed with multitudes ⟨p. 185⟩and variety of cares of this life, and take not heed of the damps of the times, for such miscariage GOD in his wise care suffereth us oft to fall into a worse condition for feeling, than those that were never so much inlightned. Yet in mercy hee will not suffer us to be so farre enemies to our selves, as wholly to neglect these sparkes once kindled, were it possible that wee should be given up to give over all endeavour wholy, then wee could looke for no other issue but quenching. But CHRIST will tend this sparke, and cherish ⟨p. 186⟩this small seed so as hee will preserve in the soule alwayes some degree of care. If we would make a comfortable use of this, we must consider all those 2meanes whereby CHRIST doth preserve grace begun, as first, holy communion 3whereby one Christian heateth another: Two are better than one, &c. Did not our hearts burne, said the Disciples? Secondly, Much more communion 4with GOD in holy duties, as Meditation and Prayer, which doth not onely kindle, but addeth a lustre to the soule. Thirdly, wee feele by experience ⟨p. 187⟩5the breath of the spirit to goe along with the ministeriall breath, whereupon the Apostle knits these two together, Quench not the Spirit, Despise not Prophesies. Nathan by a few words blew up the decaying sparkes in David. Rather than God will suffer his fire in us to dye, hee will send some Nathan or other, and some thing alwayes is left in us to joyne with the word, as connaturall to it as a coale that hath fire in it will quickly catch more to it: smoaking flaxe will easily take fire. Fourthly, grace 6is strengthned by the exercise ⟨p. 186⟩
- 11 Cor. 15. […]1 Cor. 15. 〈…〉
- 2Helps of not quenching.
- 31.
- 42.
- 53.
- 64.
