The life of faith in three parts, the first is a sermon on Heb.…

You do not turn the glass when you go to your unnecessary recreations, or your vain discourse; or at least, you can stay when the glass is run: But in hearing the most necessary truths of God, or in praying for everlasting life, the hour seems long to you; and the tedious Preacher is your weariness and molestation. You do not feast and play by the glass; but if we do not preach and pray by it exactly, but exceed our hour, though in speaking of, and for eternity, we are your burden, and put your languid patience to it, as if we were doing you some intolerable wrong.

You do not turn the glass when you go to your unnecessary recreations, or your vain discourse; or at least, you can stay when the glass is run: But in hearing the most necessary truths of God, or in praying for everlasting life, the hour seems long to you; and the tedious Preacher is your weariness and molestation. You do not feast and play by the glass; but if we do not preach and pray by it exactly, but exceed our hour, though in speaking of, and for eternity, we are your burden, and put your languid patience to it, as if we were doing you some intollerable wrong.

In worldly matters, you are weary of giving, but seldom of receiving: you grudge at the asker, but seldom at the giver. But if the gift be spiritual and heavenly, you are a weary to hear talk of it, and expostulate the case with him that offereth it: and he must show by what authority he would do you good! If by serious holy conference he would further your preparations for the life to come, or help you to make sure of life eternal, he is examined what power he hath to meddle with you, and promote your salvation: And perhaps he is snapp•shly told, he is a busy, saucy fellow, and you bid him meddle with his own matters, and let you speed as you can, and keep his compassion and charity for himself; you give him no thanks for his undesired help. The most laborious faithful servant you like best, that will do you the most work, with greatest skill, and care, and diligence: But the most laborious faithful instructor and watchman for your souls, you most ungratefully vilify, as if he were more busy and precise than needs, and were upon some unprofitable work; and you love a superficial hypocritical Ministry, that