The dead saint speaking to saints and sinners living in several treatisesThe dead saint speaking to saints and sinners living in severall treatises

And it is suspicious, when men live under such precious Ordinances, and yet grow no more, that surely they feed not on Christ.

And it is suspitious, when men live under such precious Ordinances, and yet grow no more, that surely they feed not on Christ.

Alas! Could we be so barren in our Graces, so lean in our lives, seeing we go in such rich Pastures, and are fed with such precious dainties, the Word, and Sacraments; if we fed upon Christ in these? No, my Brethren, this is the great reason why we have such pined and starved souls: This is the reason of all our weaknesses, our spiritual faintings, our declinings, our consumptions under the Ordinances; we feed not upon the Spirits of nourishment; we feed not upon Christ in them:¹ we let not Faith feed on Christ, and so are not nourished. We eat the Bread of the Lord, but not the Bread which is the Lord: we feed upon the Elements, not upon Christ. It is true here, The pure Elements are no nourishment. If Christ run not through the Bread and Wine they nourish not.

Alas! Could wee bee so barren in our Graces, so lean in our lives, seeing wee go in such rich Pastures, and are fed with such precious dainties, the Word, and Sacraments; if wee fed upon Christ in these? No, my Brethren, this is the great reason why wee have such pined and starved souls: This is the reason of all our weaknesses, our spiritual faintings, our declinings, our consumptions under the Ordinances; wee feed not upon the Spirits of nourishment; wee feed not upon Christ in them:¹ wee let not Faith feed on Christ, and so are not nourished. Wee eat the Bread of the Lord, but not the Bread which is the Lord: wee feed upon the Elements, not upon Christ. It is true here, The pure Elements are no nourishment. If Christ run not through the Bread and Wine they nourish not.

1. 1