The fourth (and last) volume of discourses, or sermons, on several scriptures

First, They are very discouraging. §1Duties never flow freely from the Soul where Grace is not like a continual Fountain to supply it. Job speaking of ⟨p. 198⟩the Hypocrite, ¹asks this Question, Will he delight himself in God? will he always call upon him? No, he will not. It is not possible that he should do so, tho' for a time he may drive at a high rate, praying both with Fervency and Affection, yet will he soon decay and faint, because he hath no Life of Grace to carry him through Duties; but he finds them to flow stubbornly from him, and therefore through Weariness and Discontent at last he gives them over. The good Works of graceless Persons may be as flourishing as if indeed they were true Saints; but they have not a Root to supply them, the Root of the Matter, as Job speaks, is not in them, and therefore they are soon nipped and fade away. It is simply impossible that a Person, without the Life and Power of Grace, should persevere in a cordial, affectionate performance of good Works; Interest, Credit, Respect and natural Conscience, are too weak Wheels for so great a Burden; it is Grace only that can over-balance all outward Discouragements, yea, and which is more that alone can remove all inward also: This can make Obedience sweet to a Child of God, which to a wicked Man ⟨p. 199⟩must needs be irksome, and that because he hath no relish in them.² St. Matth. 16.23. Thou savourest not the things that are of God; this may be much more said of graceless Persons, because they have not Salt in them,³ for so Grace is called, that should make holy and heavenly Things to be savoury to them. What a Torment is it to be still chewing an unsavoury Prayer and an unsavoury Meditation; to hear and speak those Words that their Ears cannot relish? Must I always, says the Sinner, offer this force to my self? Must I still strain and pump for Tears and Sighs? Were Holiness as easy to me as it is to some, no Life would I choose sooner than that; but I am straitened and pinched up, and all good Things come out of me like the evil Spirit, which rends and tares me, and is a torture and anguish to my Heart and Bowels: