CXLV expository sermons upon the whole 17th chapter of the Gospel according to St.…

1. That we may live upon him more; that faith may be purely and exactly put forth. While we have our visible supports, we cannot tell whether it be God or the creature, whether it be promise or sense we live upon; therefore he will make thee renounce all creatures, that thou mayest say, O Lord, it's not wealth, but thou in my wealth, it's not this or that mercy, but thou in the mercy, that my heart adheres unto. Whom have I in earth, or in heaven but thee, saith David. Oh this is admirable, when creature comforts and mercies hinder not the soul from God himself: when you use them as ladders to climb up to heaven, as Jacobs Chariot to carry you to God; when you can say in matter of love and affections, as the Samaritans in matter of faith, Now we believe, not for the woman's sake, but because we have seen Christ himself. O Lord, I depend on thee, and live upon thee, not for my mercies sake, not because of this or that comfort and sweetness, but because of the infinite fullness that is in thy own self: Or when thou canst say as Paul in the matter of his doctrine, because he had immediate revelation from Christ, therefore he said the eminent pillars added nothing to him; so in matter of practice, because thou hast enjoyment of Gods fullness, the most excellent creatures cannot add to thy joy. Blessed is he that believeth and seeth not.

1. That we may live upon him more; that faith may be purely and exactly put forth. While we have our visible supports, we cannot tell whether it be God or the creature, whether it be promise or sense we live upon; therefore he will make thee renounce all creatures, that thou maiest say, O Lord, it's not wealth, but thou in my wealth, it's not this or that mercy, but thou in the mercy, that my heart adheres unto. Whom have I in earth, or in heaven but thee, saith David. Oh this is admirable, when creature comforts and mercies hinder not the soul from God himself: when you use them as ladders to climb up to heaven, as Jacobs Chariot to carry you to God; when you can say in matter of love and affections, as the Samaritans in matter of faith, Now we believe, not for the womans sake, but because we have seen Christ himself. O Lord, I depend on thee, and live upon thee, not for my mercies sake, not because of this or that comfort and sweetness, but because of the infinite fulness that is in thy own self: Or when thou canst say as Paul in the matter of his doctrine, because he had immediate revelation from Christ, therefore he said the eminent pillars added nothing to him; so in matter of practice, because thou hast enjoyment of Gods fulnesse, the most excellent creatures cannot adde to thy joy. Blessed is he that believeth and seeth not.