Meditations and Discourses on the Glory of Christ

SOME complain greatly of their State and Condition; none so dead, so dull and stupid as they. They know not whether they have any spark of heavenly life left in them; some make weak and faint endeavours for a recovery, which are like the attempts of a man in a dream wherein he seems to use great endeavours without any success. Some put themselves unto multiplied duties. Howbeit the Generality of Professors seem to be in a pining ⟨p. 172⟩thriftless condition. And the reason of it is, because they will not sincerely and constantly make use of the only remedy and relief; like a man that will rather choose to pine away in his sickness, with some useless, transient refreshments, than apply himself unto a known and approved remedy, because it may be the use of it is unsuited unto some of his present occasions. Now this is to live in the exercise of Faith in Christ Jesus: This himself assures us of, Joh. 15. 4, 5. Abide in me, and I in you; As the branch cannot bear fruit of it self-except it abide in the vine, no more can ye except you abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches; he that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit; for without me ye can do nothing.

SOME complain greatly of their State and Condition; none so dead, so dull and stupid as they. They know not whether they have any spark of heavenly life left in them; some make weak and faint endeavours for a recovery, which are like the attempts of a man in a dream wherein he seems to use great endeavours without any success. Some put themselves unto multiplied duties. Howbeit the Generallity of Professors seem to be in a pining ⟨p. 172⟩thriftless condition. And the reason of it is, because they will not sincerely and constantly make use of the only remedy and relief; like a man that will rather chuse to pine away in his sickness, with some useless, transient refreshments, than apply himself unto a known and approved remedy, because it may be the use of it is unsuited unto some of his present occasions. Now this is to live in the exercise of Faith in Christ Jesus: This himself assures us of, Joh. 15. 4, 5. Abide in me, and I in you; As the branch cannot bear fruit of it self-except it abide in the vine, no more can ye except you abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches; he that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit; for without me ye can do nothing.