A practical commentary, or an exposition with observations, reasons, and uses upon the first…A practicall commentary, or an exposition with observations, reasons, and vses upon the first…

Answ. True Christians oft-times find a marvellous coldness and benumbedness of heart, that they find little warmth in their breathing, in their prayers or conferences, and this comes partly from want of supply of new fuel, when they walk in their own strength, without looking up to Christ for new supply; and partly by pouring cold water upon it, that is, some noisome lusts that put out the grace of God, or else the use of outward comforts with worldly hearts, these cast cold water on the fire, as the fire is put out either by withdrawing the fuel, or by casting water on it: But yet though this be their fault, yet even then when they want chafing and heat, there is some striving in them, which argues life, so much life as in them, so much heat. As for those two Disciples that went to Emmaus, though their hearts burned whilst Christ spake, yet before Christ came, they were talking of Christ, and of his sufferings, which made them sad, then Christ comes and puts life, O fools and slow of heart to believe; This blew up the sparks in them. So much as a Christian hath lost of his heat, so much of his life, if his warmth be smothered his life is smothered.

Answ. True Christians oft-times finde a marvellous coldnesse and benummednesse of heart, that they finde little warmth in their breathing, in their prayers or conferences, and this comes partly from want of supply of new fuell, when they walk in their own strength, without looking up to Christ for new supply; and partly by pouring cold water upon it, that is, some noysome lusts that put out the grace of God, or else the use of outward comforts with wordly hearts, these cast cold water on the fire, as the fire is put out either by withdrawing the fuell, or by casting water on it: But yet though this be their fault, yet even then when they want chafing and heat, there is some striving in them, which argues life, so much life as in them, so much heat. As for those two Disciples that went to Emaus, though their hearts burned whilest Christ spake, yet before Christ came, they were talking of Christ, and of his sufferings, which made them sad, then Christ comes and puts life, O fools and slow of heart to believe; This blew up the sparks in them. So much as a Christian hath lost of his heat, so much of his life, if his warmth be smothered his life is smothered.