Prima the first things, in reference to the middle and last things

thus wouldest thou cry, and continue crying, then could I assure thee of the promise which God hath made, and cannot deny, he that asketh receiveth; and, he that seeketh findeth; and, ¹to him that knocketh (by continuance and perseverance) it shall be opened, Mat. 7.8.

1. 1Matth 7.8.

The second wing, or hand, that bears and leads thee to these steps of the new birth, is, Constant hearing of the Word: thou must attend the gates of wisdom, and wait on her posts; thou must come to Gods house, and hearken to the ministry of the Word: no doubt, but if thou beest constant in this duty, God will stir up some good Samuel, God will use some of his Priests (consecrated to that ⟨p. 42⟩office) to beget thee again: Understand this soberly; for if Jesus Christ himself should preach to the soul every day, and give not out of himself, the ordinance would be empty to it: it is Christs coming in to his people in the ordinances, that only fills the empty soul with good things. To this purpose are Gods Ministers called Spiritual Fathers, I have begotten you (saith Saint Paul) through the ministration of the Gospel, ¹1 Cor. 4.15. The Pastors tongue is the Lords Conduit-pipe, and hereby he drives the sweet and wholesome waters of life into the souls of his chosen; only do thou frequent the means, and thou shalt see at one time or other, God will remember thee in mercy: It is true, I know not when; and therefore I wish thee miss no Lords-day to repair to Gods house, lest the day of thy neglect might have been the day of thy conversion; certain it is, no man should expect Gods blessing without his ordinances; no eating of bread without ploughing and sowing, no recovering of health without eating and drinking, no posting on land without somewhat to ride on, no passage on seas, without somewhat to sail in; so no blessing, no grace, no regeneration, no new birth at all, without waiting upon God in his ways, and in his ordinances. Now then, as thou desirest heaven, or (the way to heaven) to be born again, I beseech thee make high account of this ordinance of God, the preaching of his Word: In preaching of the Gospel, light, motion, and power goes out to all, which men resist: and some are destroyed, not because they could not believe, but because they resist, and will not obey, and so dye,