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

Use of Exhortation. To try whether you grow up into more knowledge and grace or no? Are ye more acquainted in the ways of Religion and Piety? Know it's your duty not only to be planted, but to grow up exceedingly. Oh it's to be feared that many are dead at the very root, at the very heart, all the watering, the preaching, the exhorting makes them not stir forward! If a man water a plant dead at the root, or a dead stump of the tree, though he do it a thousand times over, yet no leaves or fruit will ever grow on it; so when you see a people after much preaching, many exhortations, to be as ignorant, as profane as ever; Oh say, these are dead at the very root, something would sprout forth, if there were life.

Ʋse of Exhortation. To try whether you grow up into more knowledge and grace or no? Are ye more acquainted in the wayes of Religion and Piety? Know it's your duty not only to be planted, but to grow up exceedingly. Oh it's to be feared that many are dead at the very root, at the very heart, all the watering, the preaching, the exhorting makes them not stirre forward! If a man water a plant dead at the root, or a dead stump of the tree, though he do it a thousand times over, yet no leaves or fruit will ever grow on it; so when you see a people after much preaching, many exhortations, to be as ignorant, as prophane as ever; Oh say, these are dead at the very root, something would sprout forth, if there were life.

Use of Admonition. To the children of God to prize the Ministry, and means of grace. Be you as the thirsty land, and the Ordinances, like streams of water; fruitfulness and flourishing in godliness is expressed for this end. We preach, and you are to hear: Let the things that are dying be strengthened: Let thy decaying love be revived. Oh how will formality and deadness trouble thee at thy last hour; the barrenness of thy life will be terrible to thee.

Ʋse of Admonition. To the children of God to prize the Ministery, and means of grace. Be you as the thirsty land, and the Ordinances, like streames of water; fruitfulness and flourishing in godliness is expressed for this end. We preach, and you are to hear: Let the things that are dying be strengthened: Let thy decaying love be revived. Oh how will formality and deadness trouble thee at thy last hour; the barrenness of thy life will be terrible to thee.