The Fountain of Life Opened

Thirdly, And this is not all. You have not only a principle within you, and a pattern before you, but you have also an Omnipotent assistant to help and encourage you throughout your way. Are you feeble and infirm? and is every temptation, even the weakest; ⟨p. 621⟩strong enough to turn you out of the way of your Duty? Lo, God hath sent his Spirit to help your infirmities, Rom. 8.26. no matter then how weak you are, how many and mighty your difficulties and temptations are, as long as you have such an assistant to help you. Great is your advantage for a holy life, this way also. For (1.) First, When a temptation to sin presses sore upon you, he pleads with your consciences within, whilst Satan is tempting without. How often hath he brought such Scriptures to your remembrance, in the very nick of opportunity; as have saved you out of the temptation? If you attend his voice, you may hear such a voice within you as that, Jer. 44.4. Oh do not this abominable thing which I hate. What mighty strivings were there in the heart of Spira, as himself relates? He heard as it were a voice within him saying, Do not write Spira, do not write. To this purpose is that promise, Isa. 30.20, 21. Thine eyes shall behold thy teachers, and thine ears shall hear a word behind thee saying, this is the way, walk ye in it; when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left. Here you have a twofold help to holiness, the outward teaching of the Word, ver. 20. and the inward teachings of the Spirit, ver. 21. He shall say this is the way, when ye are turning aside to the right hand or to the left. Alluding to a Shepherd (saith one) who driving his Sheep before him; whistles them in when he sees them ready to stray. (2.) Secondly, When ye walk holily and closely with God in your duties, the Spirit encourages you to go on, by those inward comforts, sealings, and joys you have from him at such times. How often hath he entertained your souls in public Ordinances, in private duties, with his hidden Manna, with marrow and fastness, with incomparable and unspeakable comforts, and all this to strengthen you in your way, and encourage you to hold on? (3.) Thirdly, When you are indisposed for duties, and find your hearts empty and dry, he is ready to fill them, quicken and raise them;