The Scripture directory for church-officers and people, or, A practical commentary upon the whole…

First, It doth arise from the heart, which is an unnatural soil to grace and supernatural things. The temporal curse to the ground to bring forth nothing but thorns and thistles, is likewise spiritually true in us; of it self, there come nothing but evil thoughts, corrupt affections, distempered lusts, it's like an hell, from whence are unquenchable sparks of lusts: Were it not therefore for this daily watering and spiritual inspection, the soul would immediately degenerate into a barren heath. Oh therefore call often for these waterpots! thy graces will quickly wither, thy heart is no kindly soil: As some grounds will bring cockle instead of wheat, such is thy heart if not daily dropped upon, unless it be always fenced, it will bear no crop.

First, It doth arise from the heart, which is an unnatural soil to grace and supernatural things. The temporal curse to the ground to bring forth nothing but thornes and thistles, is likewise spiritually true in us; of it self, there come nothing but evil thoughts, corrupt affections, distempered lusts, it's like an hell, from whence are unquenchable sparkes of lusts: Were it not therefore for this daily watering and spiritual inspection, the soul would immediately degenerate into a barren heath. Oh therefore call often for these waterpots! thy graces will quickly wither, thy heart is no kindly soil: As some grounds will bring cockle instead of wheat, such is thy heart if not daily dropt upon, unless it be alwayes fenced, it will bear no crop.

Secondly, The temptations that are so frequent and many, do likewise wonderfully destroy and wither all, if this constant watering be not. As there are Pauls to plant, and Apollos to water, so there are also the Devils to plant, and his instruments to water men in wickedness: Seeing therefore thou art in a daily expense of thy oil, thy lamp will quickly go out, if there be not daily supply; you had therefore need of quickening, need of thriving, when there be so many obstructions, so many hinderances, all is little enough to put thee forward; the Devil, the world, thy own heart draweth thee back; therefore thou needest daily drawing forward.

Secondly, The temptations that are so frequent and many, do likewise wonderfully destroy and wither all, if this constant watering be not. As there are Pauls to plant, and Apolloes to water, so there are also the Devils to plant, and his instruments to water men in wickedness: Seeing therefore thou art in a daily expence of thy oil, thy lamp will quickly go out, if there be not daily supply; you had therefore need of quickening, need of thriving, when there be so many obstructions, so many hinderances, all is little enough to put thee forward; the Devil, the world, thy own heart draweth thee back; therefore thou needest daily drawing forward.