The Fountain of Life Opened

Secondly, Let us see that our knowledge of Christ be not a powerless, barren, impracticable knowledge: Oh that in its passage from our understandings to our lips, it might powerfully melt, sweeten, and ravish our hearts! Remember Brethren, an holy calling never saved any man, without an holy heart; if our tongues only be sanctified, out whole man must be damned: we and our people must be judged by the same Gospel, and stand at the same bar,¹ and be sentenced on the same terms, and dealt with as severely as any other men: we cannot think to be saved by our Clergy, or to come off with a Legit ut elericus, when there is wanting the Credidit, & vixit ut Christianus; as an eminent Divine speaks. O let the Keepers of the Vineyards look to, and keep their own Vineyard: we have an Heaven to win, or lose as well as others.

1. 1Gildas Salvianus, p. 27.

Thirdly, Let us take heed that we with-hold not our knowledge §3of Christ in unrighteousness from the people. O that our lips may disperse knowledge and feed many! let us take heed of the Napkin, remembering the day of account is at hand. Remember,¹ I beseech you the Relations wherein you stand, and the obligations resulting thence: Remember the great Shepherd gave himself for, and gave you to the flock; your time, your gifts are not yours, but Gods. Remember the pinching wants of souls who are perishing, for want of Christ; and if their tongues do not, yet their necessities do bespeak us, as they did Joseph, Gen. 47.15. wherefore should we dye in thy presence, give us food that we may live, and not dye: even the Sea-monsters draw forth their breasts to their young ones, and shall we be cruel! cruel to souls! did not Christ think it too much to sweat blood, yea to dye for them; and shall we think it much to watch, study, preach, pray, and do what we can for their salvation? O let the same mind be in you, which was also in Christ.