Consider the Sovereign Virtue of this Spiritual Service, §4and special Ordinance of God, as that which sucks out the sap and sweet of all other Dispensations of God, and means of Grace, wherein he discovers himself to us, so that though they be good in themselves, yet the good of them is not received but by meditation: As it is in the body naturally, be it that thy meat is choice that is provided, the dressing neat and wholesome, the appetite strong and sharp, and that a man feeds liberally and heartily of such dainties set before him, though these provisions be never so savoury and Cordial, and able to refresh and strengthen, yet all labour is lost, and meat lost also, if his digestion be naught, Nature is loaded and […], but never nourished thereby. So it is in the soul, be the means of Grace never so powerful and precious, sappy and Spiritual, Opportunities great to enjoy them, liberties and desires ready to attend them, to hear, and read, and confer, receive the Seals, &c. These are excellent, and of special use in themselves, but unless by Meditation we digest this food, the head and heart may be loaded, but little spiritual knowledge or power with a spiritual blessing will be reaped therefrom. Josh. 1. 8. Thou shalt meditate therein day and night; then shalt thou make thy way prosperous; then shalt thou have good success: wouldst thou have the Word that is preached, and the administration of the Seals savoury and seasonable, admonitions prosperous, when they are dispensed to thy soul? to what purpose else ⟨p. 248⟩have we them, and enjoy them? if not prospered, they are certainly accursed; that is the scope of all Ordinances, the end and good of all Church Liberties and Privileges: Wouldst thou be sure when thou goest to the Congregation, thou shalt have good success in hearing, thou shalt be quickened, good success in receiving, thou shalt be strengthened in assurance of eternal life? When thou fallest to Meditating, then, then I say, expect the Lord will make all prosperous and successful to thy soul; and before that time the Lord doth not promise thee either blessing or success, nor canst thou expect it, nor art thou like to receive any. Our Profession in the Church, is like the Trade we drive in Christianity, and Meditation it is that brings in all the profit and gain, wherein the life and comfort of all Performances and Ordinances do consist.
Consider the Soveraign Vertue of this Spiritual Service, §4and special Ordinance of God, as that which sucks out the sap and sweet of al other Dispensations of God, and means of Grace, wherein he discovers himself to us, so that though they be good in themselves, yet the good of them is not received but by meditation: As it is in the body naturally, be it that thy meat is choyce that is provided, the dressing neat and wholsom, the appetite strong and sharp, and that a man feeds liberally and heartily of such dainties set before him, though these provisions be never so savory and Cordial, and able to refresh and strengthen, yet al labor is lost, and meat lost also, if his digestion be naught, Nature is loaded and 〈…〉, but never nourished thereby. So it is in the soul, be the means of Grace never so powerful and precious, sappy and Spiritual, Opportunities great to enjoy them, liberties and desires ready to attend them, to hear, and read, and confer, receive the Seals, &c. These are excellent, and of special use in themselves, but unless by Meditation we digest this food, the head and heart may be loaded, but little spiritual knowledg or power with a spiritual blessing wil be reaped therefrom. Josh. 1. 8. Thou shalt meditate therein day and night; then shalt thou make thy way prosperous; then shalt thou have good success: would'st thou have the Word that is preached, and the administration of the Seals savory and seasonable, admonitions prosperous, when they are dispensed to thy soul? to what purpose else ⟨p. 248⟩have we them, and enjoy them? if not prospered, they are certainly accursed; that is the scope of all Ordinances, the end and good of al Church Liberties and Priviledges: Would'st thou be sure when thou goest to the Congregation, thou shalt have good success in hearing, thou shalt be quickened, good success in receiving, thou shalt be strengthened in assurance of eternal life? When thou fallest to Meditating, then, then I say, expect the Lord wil make al prosperous and successful to thy soul; and before that time the Lord doth not promise thee either blessing or success, nor canst thou expect it, nor art thou like to receive any. Our Profession in the Church, is like the Trade we drive in Christianity, and Meditation it is that brings in al the profit and gain, wherein the life and comfort of al Performances and Ordinances do consist.
