The Fountain of Life Opened

¹I say that though you cannot do any thing that can make the Gospel effectual, yet the spirit of God can make those means you are capable of using effectual, if he please to concur with them. And it is a certain truth, that your inability to do what is above your power, doth no way excuse you from doing what is within the compass of your power to do. I know, no act that is saving, can be done without the concurrence of special grace, yea, and no act that hath a remote order and tendency thereunto, without a more general concourse of Gods assistance; but herein he is not behind hand with you. Let me therefore advise.

1. 1Sol.Soll.

First, That you diligently attend upon an able, faithful and searching ministry. Neglect no opportunity God affords you, for how know you but that may be the time of mercy to your souls: If he that lay so many years at the Pool of Bethesda, had been wanting but that hour when the Angel came down and troubled the waters, he had not been healed.

First, That you dilligently attend upon an able, faithful and searching ministry. Neglect no opportunity God affords you, for how know you but that may be the time of mercy to your souls: If he that lay so many years at the Pool of Bethesda, had been wanting but that hour when the Angel came down and troubled the waters, he had not been healed.

Secondly, Satisfy not your selves with hearing, but consider what you hear. Allow time to reflect upon what God hath spoken to you. What power is there in man more excellent, or more appropriate to the reasonable nature, than its reflexive and self considering power? There is little hope of any good to be done upon your souls, until you begin to go alone; and become thinking men and women. Here all conversion begins. I know a severer task can hardly be imposed upon a carnal heart. It's a hard thing to bring a man, and himself together, upon this account. But this must be, if ever the Lord do your souls good.