2. Improve them for those ends, to which they naturally tend. 'Tis not enough to give them a bare reception, and forbear the smothering of them; but we must consider what affections are proper to be raised by them, either in the search of some truth, or performance of some duty. Those gleams, with shoot into us on the sudden, have some lesson sealed up in them, to be opened, and learned by us. When Peter upon the crowing of the cock called to mind his Master's admonition, he thought thereon and wept: †he did not only receive the spark, but kindled a suitable affection. A choice graft, though kept very carefully by us, yet if not presently set, will wither, and disappoint our expectation of the desired fruit. No man is without some secret whispers to dissuade him from some alluring and busy sin†; as Cain had by an audible voice, Gen. 4.7. which had he observed to the damping the revengeful motion against his brother, he had prevented his brother's death, his own despair, and eternal ruin. Have you any motion to seek God's face, as David had? Let your hearts reply, Thy face, Lord, will I seek. *The address will be most acceptable at such a time, when your heart is tuned by One, that searcheth the deep things of God, †and knows his mind, and what airs are most delightful to Him. Let our motion be quick in any duty which the Spirit doth suggest; and while he heaves our hearts, and oils our wheels, we shall do more in any religious service, and that more pleasantly and successfully, than at another time with all our own art and industry; for his injections are like water poured into a pump to raise up more; and as Satan's motions are not without a main body to second them, so neither do the Spirit's go unattended, without a sufficient strength to assist the entertainers of them. Well then, lye not at anchor, when a fresh gale would fill thy sails, but lay hold of the present opportunity. These seasons are often like those influences from certain conjunctions of the Planets, which if not (according to the Astrologer's opinion) presently applied, pass away, and return not again in many ages: So the Spirit's breathings are often determined, that if they be not entertained with suitable affections, the time will be unregainable, and the same gracious opportunities of a sweet intercourse may be for ever lost;
2. Improve them for those ends, to which they naturally tend. 'Tis not enough to give them a bare reception, and forbear the smothering of them; but we must consider what affections are proper to be rais'd by them, either in the search of some truth, or performance of some duty. Those gleams, with shoot into us on the sudden, have some lesson seal'd up in them, to be opened, and learned by us. When Peter upon the crowing of the cock call'd to mind his Master's admonition, he thought thereon and wept: †he did not only receive the spark, but kindled a suitable affection. A choice graff, though kept very carefully by us, yet if not presently set, will wither, and disappoint our expectation of the desired fruit. No man is without some secret whispers to disswade him from some alluring and busie sin†; as Cain had by an audible voice, Gen. 4.7. which had he observed to the damping the revengeful motion against his brother, he had prevented his brother's death, his own despair, and eternal ruin. Have you any motion to seek God's face, as David had? Let your hearts reply, Thy face, Lord, will I seek. *The address will be most acceptable at such a time, when your heart is tuned by One, that searcheth the deep things of God, †and knows his mind, and what airs are most delightful to Him. Let our motion be quick in any duty which the Spirit doth suggest; and while he heaves our hearts, and oyls our wheels, we shall do more in any religious service, and that more pleasantly and successfully, than at another time with all our own art and industry; for his injections are like water poured into a pump to raise up more; and as Satan's motions are not without a main body to second them, so neither do the Spirit's go unattended, without a sufficient strength to assist the entertainers of them. Well then, lye not at anchor, when a fresh gale would fill thy sails, but lay hold of the present opportunity. These seasons are often like those influences from certain conjunctions of the Planets, which if not (according to the Astrologer's opinion) presently applied, pass away, and return not again in many ages: So the Spirit's breathings are often determined, that if they be not entertained with suitable affections, the time will be unregainable, and the same gracious opportunities of a sweet entercourse may be for ever lost;
- †Mar. 14 72.
- †Job 33.14, 17. God speaks once, yea, twice, that he may withdraw man from his purpose.
- *Psal. 27.8.
- †1 Cor. 2.10.
